Does anyone plan on becoming a pioneer in school transportation? Susan Miller sure didn't. 

The soon-to-be retired Colorado state director’s journey began humbly in northern Michigan in the late 1980s when she started driving a school bus for a midday kindergarten run after her children started school 

"I loved it instantly," she recalled, though she remembers the overwhelming feeling of sitting behind the wheel of a school bus for the first time. According to Miller, training back then was informal, almost laughably simple, compared to today's rigorous standards. 

What began as a part-time job aligned with her children's school schedule quickly became much more. She took on a full AM/PM route and field trips, becoming a steady presence in students' daily lives. Bus driving allowed her to attend her children's sporting events and stay active in the community. 

Her care and reliability did not go unnoticed. 

In her last attendance at the recent National Congress on School Transportation, Miller announced her retirement after 11 years as the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) transportation supervisor. 

From Crisis to Command: Building Systems That Last

After 16 years behind the wheel, including a one-year stint as a special education paraprofessional and additional work as a 911 dispatcher and licensed emergency medical technician, Miller was at a crossroads when her supervisor passed away unexpectedly. 

The school district recognized her dedication and strong moral compass — attributes instilled by her father, a former state trooper and current county sheriff — and offered her the supervisory position. She accepted, quickly uncovering compliance issues and beginning the hard work of school transportation reform. 

During the beginning stages of this position, Miller joined the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation, where she met Gava Graham, a mentor who would significantly influence her career. Graham's mentorship helped Miller navigate her new responsibilities and equipped her to become a trainer in northwestern Michigan. After a few years, she took the helm of Traverse City Public Schools (TCAPS) as the transportation director. 

In 2006, after almost five years with TCAPS, Miller saw an ad in the local paper that piqued her interest: a start-up county transit system needed leadership. By 2007, the county transit system doors opened. 

Despite starting from scratch, "literally without so much as a paperclip," Miller built the operation into a success story with a fleet of 14 vehicles, a six-bay garage, and a renovated headquarters funded by $3 million in grants. 

"I am very proud to say that it is still immensely successful and serving the community where many of my loved ones still live," Miller said. 

Driving Change at the State Level

Life took another turn when both her adult children relocated to Colorado, so in 2014, Miller moved west and joined the CDE as a transportation analyst and eventually a school transportation unit supervisor. In these positions, Miller credits Jennifer Okres for giving her the opportunity and setting the example for "excellent leadership." 

Over the next decade, she became indispensable in evaluating the state's pupil transportation standards, including helping districts improve compliance with state and federal laws. She played an instrumental part in preparing the state to integrate Entry Level Driver Training requirements, which were so effective that other states adopted them. 

However, her efforts were not limited to compliance. Miller understood the importance of consistency and communication in leadership, especially in a field with frequent turnover. One of her proudest achievements was the successful push to make supervisor training mandatory, a change implemented in October 2024 that will be advanced by her successor. 

Fred Stewart, current transportation analyst, will be the new supervisor of the school transportation unit at CDE starting July 1, 2025.  

"Often, a new director could be in place for months before we have the chance to meet them and advise them of their required responsibilities," Miller said. 

Throughout her time at CDE, Miller worked in a small but well-supported team. "The staff in the school transportation unit is normally only two people," she said. "We have never had significant budgetary constraints since our unit was so small."  

Her ability to do more with less exemplifies her resourcefulness. 

Champion for the Unsung Heroes

Beyond policy and compliance, Miller was a staunch advocate for recognizing transportation professionals. "COVID-19 showed just how resilient transportation staff are," she said. "Far too often, they are not given the credit or respect they deserve." 

She lamented the widespread misconception that bus drivers are "just the bus drivers," noting the intense training, responsibility, and emotional labor involved. 

"We are often the only person driving a vehicle with 65 students on board, in horrendous weather conditions, up and down mountains safely, maintaining order, loading and unloading students, all while praying that other drivers on the road won't disregard your eight-way lights and strike a child," Miller said. 

Miller took pride in knowing she made a difference, personally and professionally, recalling her own childhood bus drivers and some of the students she used to transport, emphasizing the importance of those relationships she maintained. "I genuinely cared deeply for my students," she said. 

Gratitude in Every Mile

As she steps into retirement, Miller reflects with gratitude and pride the impact she had as a bus driver, director, and leader. As an instructor, Miller shared her knowledge and experience with hundreds, if not thousands, of bus drivers. 

"I will take with me the knowledge that this farm girl, without a college degree, was allowed to make a difference," she said. 

Her colleague, Greg Jackson of School Bus Logistics, summarizes her impact best: "Susan has been a pillar of leadership, integrity, and tireless dedication. Her influence has elevated the standards, structure, and visibility of pupil transportation across the state — making a lasting difference for school districts, transportation professionals, and most importantly, the students we serve." 

"She will be deeply missed, but her contributions will continue to shape the future of our profession for years to come," Jackson added. 

Miller advises those following in her footsteps: know and follow the law, lead with integrity, and reduce liability whenever and wherever possible. Above all, be the kind of leader your staff can trust. 

Looking forward, Miller and her husband plan to travel abroad and within the U.S. Their bucket list includes driving the full length of the U.S. Route 2 and attending the Little League World Series. But at the heart of her plans is family: more time with her children, grandchildren, and the friends who've supported her along the way. 

Her legacy is not just in the policies she influenced or the systems she helped build. It's in the children she transported safely, the professionals she empowered, and the respect she brought to a field that quietly keeps school communities moving. 

As Miller and the industry often say, "We bleed yellow."