Safety, Service, and Smiles: PWCS Transportation Employees Appreciation Week

April 20-24, 2026, marks Transportation Employees Appreciation Week in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS)—a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the incredible professionals who keep transportation running smoothly each day.

From ensuring students arrive at school safely to keeping buses on the road, completing required inspections, and coordinating daily routes and trips, transportation team members play a vital role in the school division.

Often up before sunrise, transportation employees—especially bus drivers—are frequently the first PWCS staff members students see each day, helping set a welcoming tone for their morning.

Jerdleen Boffman has dedicated more than 26 years to the PWCS Transportation Department. She said that a day in the life of a bus driver requires flexibility, courtesy, and professionalism at all times—along with strong time-management skills, reliability, and a deep sense of responsibility. Most importantly, she said the role is a commitment to showing up each day prepared to safely transport students.

“My favorite part of my job is being greeted by my students’ smiling faces each morning and afternoon as I safely transport them to and from school. Building those daily connections makes the role especially meaningful to me, and I take pride in caring for them as if I were their ‘bus mom,’” Boffman said.

For Angela Russell, who has worked in the PWCS Transportation Department for 18 years, the job is also a family tradition.

“My mom, aunt, and grandfather were employees in the Transportation Department, so I wanted to work here too,” Russell said. She added that her favorite part of the job is working with students.

Finally, Ric Clark, a PWCS graduate, said his journey came full circle after returning to the division 25 years ago. His path back to PWCS began when his wife, a PWCS teacher, noticed a banner advertising the need for bus drivers.

Now, more than two decades later, he says his favorite part of the role is “serving students, parents, school staff, co-workers, and modeling good driving to the public.”

During Transportation Employees Appreciation Week, PWCS thanks all transportation team members for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to safely serving students and families every day.