LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Schools in the commonwealth are struggling to hire a sufficient number of bus drivers.

However, one Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) elementary school teacher drives and teaches, and she loves both jobs. 

Amanda McGrath has been an educator for the last 22 years. She knew she wanted to teach from the time she was young. Most of her career has been spent teaching fifth grade, an age group she said she enjoys.

“I like the ‘ah-ha’ moments, seeing kids get it or grasp it when they didn’t before or a kid who struggled with something for a long time be able to be successful with it," said McGrath, a fifth-grade teacher at Bowen Elementary School. "I like working with kids.”  

Three years ago, the mother of two decided to add a different duty to her repertoire.

“Well, kids are very expensive, and I was looking for an extra job," McGrath said. "This opportunity came up, where JCPS was offering current employees their hourly rate, and it was kind of the perfect sandwich onto my already workday and location.”

After her teaching duties, she switches gears and gets behind the wheel of a school bus only for Bowen Elementary. She averages about 50 students on the bus to take home on an afternoon route.

JCPS provided training, paid for her commercial driver's license (CDL) and even gave her additional training she requested. She said she felt confident getting behind the wheel. 

“If anyone is considering it, I would say it is well worth the money, well worth your time as they continue to pay the hourly rate for … it’s like overtime hours, and you don’t want to spend your time on something unless it’s worth it," she said. "I feel like it’s been very much worth it.” 

A JCPS spokesperson said it’s more common than people think for teachers to get behind the wheel of a school bus.

“Every bus driver that we get makes a difference because right now, as everybody knows, we’re in a severe bus driver shortage," said Mark Hebert, JCPS communications manager. "One teacher that decides to drive a bus in the afternoon or the morning ... that makes a huge difference with those kids.”

Since the driver shortage began, JCPS has asked teachers to help. The district said most of the drivers know the kids they’re driving.

McGrath said her students are a great group. 

“They love it," McGrath said. "They cheered when they found out I was going to be their bus driver." 

JCPS is hiring for teachers, bus drivers and people who want to do both jobs. More information can be found on its homepage.