Terrie Welcome has driven students to and from school for more than 24 years. Tuesday, March 22, will be her final ride as a full-time bus driver in the Averill Park Central School District.
“I enjoyed it the whole time,” she said.
Welcome began driving a bus in 1998. Her mother-in-law drove for APCSD at the time and Welcome thought the position would work well for her schedule.
“Being a bus driver worked out great. With three kids, I was able to be home to make dinner every night and had nights and weekends off. The breaks are nice, and the benefits are great,” she said. “It was pretty intimidating until the first time I actually drove the bus. I can see out of the bus better than I can my car.”
Welcome loved being a part of students’ lives and always greeted them with a smile.
While she hasn’t ruled out helping as a substitute, Welcome plans to travel a bit in retirement and hopes to see her sister, who lives in Idaho, more.
