AUBURNDALE, Fla. — Renard Thomas wears many hats within Polk County Public Schools.

He’s the reading coach at Auburndale Central Elementary and recently he started driving kids to and from school to help with the bus driver shortage.

“I did that because I wanted to reduce the number of school bus referrals that we had at my school," Thomas said. "So I did it to help with discipline as well as pursue my dream as well."

He said he always wanted to become a bus driver, so when the district needed more, he stepped up. Thomas said it has helped him build stronger relationships with his students.

“It has positively impacted my students. They come to school, they’re happy. When I pick them up, they’re happy and smiling when I get off the bus,” said Thomas.

He said being happy helps them learn. When he gets to Auburndale Central Elementary to start the school day, he begins by reading a book over the loudspeaker. Then he works with students in small groups on their reading skills and meets with teachers individually to go over reading benchmarks for each grade.

“Reading is fundamental. If you don’t know how to read, then you can’t really go far in life,” said Thomas.

Thomas wants every student to go far and accomplish their goals. He is setting an example for them each day. Thomas says he became involved with the school district when he was 19-years-old in 2011. He’s held many roles since then. He’s been a para educator, a custodian and a teacher. He says those roles have helped shape him into who he is today.

“It has been through my experiences working for Polk County Schools that I first began to understand that my life would be rooted in service and giving back to others,” said Thomas.

Thomas says his goal is to become a principal one day.

“The sky is the limit to me, but I know that education is where I want to remain because I can make a powerful impact,” he said.