Sure, many districts train their drivers and department staff in the various skills needed to succeed in student transportation. Many also support students in career development. But how many combine both efforts into one?

One district in Michigan has done just that.

Oakland Schools, which operates the fifth-largest school bus fleet in the U.S., recently kicked off a series of professional development events for the 2026-27 school year. The first was held October 19 and brought in national speaker Dr. Nathanial Hearne from Friday Night Lights fame to talk about the power of positive affirmation, acceptance, and approval.

Building Relationships Beyond the School Bus

Thomas Korth, Oakland Schools’ transportation supervisor, has always been passionate about teaching life skills to help others better understand and manage their mindset and how to work with others. He’s already hosted plenty of sessions with his department staff — open to neighboring ISDs — on communication, leadership, critical incident response, mental health awareness, and the practice of kindness. Over the past four years, more than 1,200 transportation team members have taken advantage of the trainings.

But Korth wanted to reach even further. “This is a new vision I have to build relationships with both students and drivers,” he said. “I want to build compatibility for each, to see them outside of the bus, hearing training that humanizes each other to understand and practice mutual respect.”

Korth trialed the concept at an April 13, 2026, event with about 31 students and drivers with success.

This fall, Hearne’s talk marked the first step in the larger strategy. The event was free to attend, included lunch, and offered student credit in exchange for classroom time.

“[Hearne] overcame adversity because teachers, coaches, and education professionals like us spoke into his life to let him know he was accepted, affirmed, and approved,” Korth said. “I invited various students to participate in this event to get our students in the room with us to hear the message of the power of affirmation, acceptance, and approval in building bridges and relationships between drivers and students alike. This relational interaction allows drivers to see their students as individuals with families, friends, outside of the bus environment, and for students to view their drivers as individuals who are participants in their educational journey.”

The event ended up attracting about 160 attendees, 21 of which were students. After the full presentation, Dr. Hearne hosted a separate session with the students.

Here's what a few students said about it:

• “This presentation opened my mind to understanding others on their own journey and it’s not just me who is going through the process of finding myself.” - Priscila Aguilar-Zaldana, senior in entrepreneurship and advanced marketing, Pontiac ITA
• “What I found inspirational were his struggles and what it means to succeed in the future. I appreciated his advice on what to do to become better and successful in the future.” - Alexander Escobar-Rovira, senior, entrepreneurship, Pontiac ITA

What's Next for Oakland Schools' Leadership Training?

The district has planned four more events for its professional development program. On November 19, Ted Zotos is scheduled for the first of a three-part series on the power of positive leadership based on the Jon Gordon book of the same name.