Committed to lifelong learning
Peter Lawrence estimated that he put in about 1,000 hours in just the last year as he worked on his dissertation. That was in addition to continuing his full-time job as director of transportation.
In our October 2013 issue, I discussed the benefits of professional development and certification programs for pupil transportation professionals.
In that editorial, I noted that Peter Lawrence, director of transportation for Fairport (N.Y.) Central School District, became the first person to complete all of the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT)’s Professional Development Series courses in 2011.
That on its own was a remarkable accomplishment. Now, add to it this update: In late March, after four years and countless hours of academic work, Peter achieved the title doctor of education.
Drive for a doctorate
Peter, who describes himself as a “lifelong learner,” began working on his doctorate in 2010 at nearby University of Rochester. The degree is in educational leadership, specializing in K-12.
For his dissertation, Peter targeted a pertinent pupil transportation topic: ways to achieve cost savings in bus maintenance. Beyond the practical findings of the dissertation, Peter told us that the doctorate program helped him to build his skills in decision making, critical thinking and problem solving.
Learning more about different types of educational systems was another key benefit of the doctorate program. One assignment that Peter said was particularly insightful was shadowing a principal at a rural school for a day.
The workload was heavy: Peter estimated that he put in about 1,000 hours in just the last year as he worked on his dissertation. That was in addition to continuing his full-time job as director of transportation (although he made use of vacation days when major deadlines drew near). At the peak, he was averaging 10 hours a day at the university and operating on about four hours of sleep per night.
In addition to the array of knowledge he gained and the skills he built in the doctorate program, Peter said that he expects the degree to benefit his career path.
“I’m sure that, down the road, it will open doors that might not have been available to me,” he said.
Professional pursuits
Peter’s hard work in pursuit of lifelong learning is inspiring. It’s a reminder to all of us that we can advance our knowledge and build our credentials — if we’re willing to put in the extra hours and do the legwork.
As I noted in my October editorial, there are numerous professional development options for people in our industry. For example, NAPT provides four certifications for different pupil transportation positions: director, supervisor, specialist and driver instructor. The association also offers the Special Needs Transportation Training Endorsement, the Leading Every Day Initiative and the Professional Development Series.
Also, NAPT and other national and state associations hold conferences every year. Participating in conference workshops, listening to keynote speakers and networking with colleagues can all be great opportunities to learn new ways to do our jobs better.
This summer or fall, I encourage you to attend a conference, take a course or find some other way to keep on learning.
More Management

Drivers and Technicians: Help Benchmark Today's School Bus Manufacturers
If you've spent time behind the wheel or under the hood, we want to hear your perspective on the buses you know best.
Read More →13 Industry Leaders Describe School Transportation in One Word
What word best describes the school bus industry today? We posed that question to over a dozen manufacturers, resulting in a revealing mix of perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Read More →
Tyler Technologies Adds New AI, Transactions Leadership Roles
Two company executives are promoted to newly created C-suite positions to accelerate the company's long-term growth in both artificial intelligence and payments.
Read More →
Pro-Vision Acquires Convoy Technologies
The deal aims to broaden customer relationships and adds specialized vehicle video capabilities for commercial fleets.
Read More →
Durham School Services Maintenance Teams Earn Missouri Fleet Excellence Awards
Eight of the contractor’s school bus fleets achieved a distinction few maintenance teams earn during the state’s rigorous annual inspection program.
Read More →How Incentives, AI, and Energy Markets Are Reshaping School Transportation
Sit down with Joe Annotti of TRC Companies to talk district grant funding, utility challenges, AI, and why school buses are evolving from transportation assets into energy assets.
Read More →
Inside the Contracting Shift: What School Transportation Operators Are Seeing Now
School transportation contractors weigh in on recent trends, costs, driver shortages, and the rise of multimodal student transportation.
Read More →The No-Idling School Bus AC System
Take a peek at ExoAir Systems’ battery-powered cooling solution designed to run for up to 10 hours without the engine on, reducing fuel use and improving comfort for drivers and students.
Read More →Geotab on Three Major Trends in School Transportation
School bus fleets are becoming more proactive than ever. From AI driver alerts to vehicle-to-grid opportunities, Geotab outlines the biggest technology trends transforming school bus operations.
Read More →
Gatekeeper Lands Major School Bus Deals as Revenue Surges
The video solutions provider announces contracts with Atlanta Public Schools and other fleet operators as it records quarterly revenue growth and expanding subscription business.
Read More →



