Written by Merari Acevedo |
merari@stnonline.com Ruth Ashmore |
ruth@stnonline.come Taylor Ekbatani |
taylor@stnonline.com
Maybe it’s their leadership and compassion toward others. W Debra Ard
West Transportation Supervisor Orangeburg County School District, South Carolina Debra Ard was a 17-year-
old high school graduate, born and raised in a small town in South Carolina, looking at career path
options. A friend suggested she apply to the Edisto School District, which led to her first jobs as a teacher’s assistant and a school bus driver for students with disabilities. She recalled her four-day state department of education training, where she learned to drive a manual transmis- sion bus for $3.27 an hour. Ard said it “was an enormous responsibility but it confirmed for me: this is where I’m meant to be.” She continued as a driver of special and general edu-
cation routes for 28 years before transitioning to office roles including transportation assistant and driver train- er. When her supervisor at Orangeburg County Schools retired, she was recommended for the role, a position she’s held for 12 years, bringing her total number of years in the industry to 47 so far. Keith Terry, transportation director at the district, shared in his nomination of Ard that she has gone above and beyond her job responsibilities, creating a lasting impact in the industry, notable by being selected the 2024–2025 South Carolina Association of Pupil Transportation Ad- ministrator of the Year. “This prestigious honor reflects her impactful leader-
ship, her ability to foster collaboration among staff, and her consistent efforts to improve transportation opera-
42 School Transportation News • NOVEMBER 2025
tions for the benefit of students and families,” he wrote, adding Ard is known for her “hands-on” leadership style and looking for ways to improve operations, encourage collaboration and lead student-centered and safety-fo- cused service. Ard shared that the fast-paced world of student trans-
portation presents new challenges every day, and her leadership philosophy is rooted in a coach’s addage. “Individually we are one, together we are an ocean,” she said, adding that her bus drivers often hear her reminding them that the students they transport are the future, as they could one day become drivers themselves. Ard said her greatest rewards come from watching students achieve success and for her drivers to flourishing professionally. She said she has “loved every moment” of her career and working at Orangeburg. Ard said her advice to those starting in student trans-
portation is simple. “Get to know the people you work with, slow down and savor the journey. Be the role model your students deserve, you never know how much they are learning simply by watching you. And remember: ‘The mean- ing of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.’”
hat truly makes a rising star? Is it their ability to pivot when challenges arise? Their determination and dedication to the job with little to no recognition?
Regardless of the reason, the 10 individuals profiled in this month’s issue stood out to the editors at School Transportation News. STN had 60 nominations for this year’s Rising Superstar profiles, view the complete list of nominations at
stnonline.com/go/rs25.
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