• Age: 28

• Role: Assistant Mechanic

• District: Mohave Valley Elementary School District 16

• Location: Mohave Valley, AZ

When Dylan Gutierrez’s family friendinvited him to join the transportation team at Mohave Valley, he wasn’t sure at first if it was the right fit. After thinking about it for a few months, he finally took the leap. Now, he says “I'm really glad I did and often find myself wishing I had done it sooner.”

Gutierrez gets to work each day at 5:30 to help the drivers before morning runs. Then, he’s hard at work fixing bus window alarms, changing tires, replacing DEF heads, helping weld, and everything in between. Some days even require getting behind the wheel to help with routes. 

He says the value of teamwork has been his biggest takeaway so far. “Whether it’s collaborating with the drivers to ensure their vehicles are ready or working closely with the maintenance team, clear and open communication is key to keeping everything running smoothly,” he noted.

Staying proactive and attentive to detail is crucial, too, he shares, since small issues can quickly escalate into big problems. This taught him the importance of being adaptable, thinking on his feet, and being prepared to tackle any challenges that arise.

His problem-solving ability is what largely inspired his Trailblazers nomination in the first place. Cole Young, district superintendent, wrote that after a change in leadership, Gutierrez joined the team at a critical time. “Our fleet was struggling — inspections were not going well, maintenance was significantly behind, and many buses were inoperable,” Young said. “These challenges created a ripple effect, leading to longer routes, extended wait times, and increased ride times for students. From the moment Dylan stepped in, he did whatever it took to ensure our buses were road-ready and passed inspections. [He] approached every task with dedication and passion. Despite being one of the younger members of our team, he has earned the trust and respect of his colleagues through his work ethic and reliability.”

Thanks to this dedication, the Mohave Valley fleet went from failing inspections three years ago to achieving a 100% pass rate in January 2025.

Gutierrez wants to tell aspiring school bus mechanics to stay curious, be proactive, and embrace the learning process. “There’s a lot to absorb when it comes to maintaining and repairing buses, so always be open to asking questions and learning from more experienced colleagues,” he said. “Pay attention to the small details.”

What does Gutierrez hope for the future of student transportation? He says it should be centered around safety, sustainability, and innovation. 

“Safety will always be a top priority, and I hope we see further advancements in technology to help protect students, such as improved monitoring systems, real-time tracking, and better communication tools between drivers, mechanics, and school staff,” Gutierrez said.