that helps you to overcome some of those [challenges] faced in corporate environ- ments.” However, she said attending transportation conferences held outside of Philly was essentially like starting over on her journey of self-discovery because she was the only Muslim in the room wearing a hijab. “And you’re not sure how other people from other parts of the U.S. are going to perceive you,” she shared. Fleming added that some


people may live in a large city or a small town that may not have many if any Muslims. They may not know how


Some people are more [focused on] what they hear in mainstream media versus


really being able to understand that at the end of the day we’re all human beings. We may dress differently, but we walk the same world on the basics of human life and nature.


to interact or engage. She shared that while working in a neighboring county, people admitted they initially didn’t know how to engage with her because all they see is the “covered person, they don’t see the true person under- neath,” she noted. She added that by attending


the conferences she realized that the work that she’s doing is for the students and her city, and she needed to gain as much experience and knowl- edge as possible to determine what could be done to better their operations. “My first conference I was


shyer, reserved,” she shared. “And then I understood that I


On being awarded the


2023 STN Transportation Director of the Year Award!


Congratulations, Teresa Fleming,


on being recognized for your excellence in school transportation!


Your friends at Transfinder applaud you! 800.373.3609 I transfinder.com 56 School Transportation News • NOVEMBER 2023


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