PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — While it’s more common to have a favorite teacher who made an impact on your life, what about a favorite bus driver?

One Pinellas County school bus driver is determined to do just that by creating a positive, supportive atmosphere on his bus. 

What You Need To Know

  • Anthony Burgess has only been a school bus driver for one year, but has made a positive impact on his students in that short time

  • Students on his bus create signs displaying positive, inspirational quotes to hang on the walls and ceiling of the bus

  • Student Keelia says Mr. Anthony’s bus is like no other

As soon as students walk on bus 619, they’re greeted by Mr. Anthony and his favorite quote, “The world is brighter because you’re a part of it.”

Anthony Burgess has only been driving for Pinellas County Schools since September, but from the beginning, he was determined for his to not be your average school bus.

“I wanted it to be a fun environment for the kids, plus myself, so one day, I was like, 'Hey it’d be really fun to make some quotes,'” he said.

The quotes line the walls and ceiling of the bus, all hand written and drawn by Mr. Anthony’s students.

“I made this one, it says, 'Don’t let that monster named anxiety control you.' I made it because I myself struggle with anxiety, so I want other kids who struggle like me to know they can get through it, they’re not alone,” said Keelia Cannon, a rising freshman.

Keelia says Mr. Anthony’s bus is like no other. 

“At first, I thought, like, no person had truly good in them but that changed when I met Mr. Anthony,” she said.

And it’s not just the positive signs. Mr. Anthony took it upon himself to create fun activities for his students, too, both on and off the bus.

“We’ve had pizza parties, we’ve had silly string battles, ice cream and just a whole bunch of other parties, and he makes it feel like a community so it’s not just get on the bus, you go home. You have fun, you talk,” said student Ayanna Vao.

Mr. Anthony says the recognition is nice, but he does all of this for his students. 

“In the morning, I don’t know what happened at home, I don’t know what happened at school when they get on my bus, but it’s important what can happen, we can have an awesome time together.”

While the school bus can be a place where there are a lot of behavioral issues, Mr. Anthony hasn’t had any of those issues on his bus.  He plans on continuing the tradition next school year.