Meanwhile, after high school she got a job at Advance


Auto Parts, where she learned more about fixing vehi- cles. It was in 2013 that she became aware of a job at Pell City Schools. She figured there was no harm in applying. “I knew my stuff, I did parts inventory at Advance, and that was a big part of this job that I was going to be taking,” she recalled. “And parents are a lot like dealing with customers. Now, yes you are carrying a lot more precious cargo, and if something goes wrong you need to be able to know how to handle it, and han- dle upset people.” She added that in addition to track- ing parts inventory she also works as a morning dispatcher, when working with parents and knowing how to com- municate pays off. “Every day there’s going to be a different


challenge, and that’s what I love about [this job],” Foster said. Shea White, the transportation coordinator for Pell City,


said Foster is a hardworking and precise individual. “Not only does she take pride in every area of her job, she ex- hausts herself learning on a daily basis,” White said. “Pell City Schools is very fortunate to have [her].”


with his college education in diesel technology at State Univer- sity of New York, Cobleskill. He then


D


worked in the trucking industry before entering student transportation. Boyea is also a member of the New York Association of Pupil Transportation and the Pupil Trans- portation Safety Institute. He’s served as a school bus driver instructor and a 19A certified instructor. “In 2019, I was elected as the president of the Capital


District Head Mechanics Association, where I work to provide training for all our members,” Boyea said, while explaining his 20 years in student transportation. Assistant Transportation Supervisor George Geel


commended Boyea’s “can-do attitude” and dedication, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many other New York regions shut down. Boyea began holding virtual meetings and invited other regions to participate. “Dan has started a YouTube channel to provide in-


structional videos for the transportation department,” continued Geel. “These include a brake system demon- stration, proper wheelchair lift operation, and these are but a few of his videos. He is always willing to take time to answer and demonstrate anything the drivers need


A Woman of Many Traits The previous supervisor at Pell City required all me-


chanics and employees working in the shop to have their commercial driver’s license. Because of this, Foster said, she still holds her CDL and loves driving. “My first-time driving was the first day of school and I was pregnant,” Foster recalled. However, she added that she drove a handful of those same kids right before school got out this past year and they all remembered her. “I would never want to give up my CDL and my ability to drive a school bus just because I love seeing their smiling faces and giving them a reason to smile,” she said.


Foster recently became Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified in


recovery and recycling, which allows her to work on automotive A/C systems and better support her team.


“If you don’t have good coworkers, they can kind of


make your job miserable, and I will say I’ve got fantastic coworkers,” Foster said, noting that she wants to be able to help them in any way she can.


Daniel Boyea, Senior Automotive Repairer | Shenendehowa Central School District, New York


aniel Boyea has a diverse background in the transportation industry, beginning


clarification on.” Geel added that through Boyea’s


leadership, the Shenendehowa Central School District achieved a 100-percent New York State Department of Transportation inspection rating this year. Geel noted it is “an outstand- ing achievement” as the district has over 400 school bus inspections a year. In addition to his work in the garage, Boyea volunteers at his local Elk Lodge and as a Federal Aviation Administration licensed drone pilot. He even used his drone to record video footage of the 2020 Shenendehowa district graduation. Boyea said that his favorite part of the job is being able to work with all the transportation departments to provide the safest and most efficient transportation available.


Visit Dan Boyea’s YouTube channel, where he provides school bus instructional videos such as


disinfecting practices, seatbelt adjusting, snow removal, and more.


www.stnonline.com 37


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