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Seg. 1: Filling Teacher Vacancies | Seg. 2: School Bus Drivers

Segment 1: School across Kansas and Missouri struggle each year to fill teaching positions.

Having enough teachers to fill classrooms is a perennial problem for schools in all parts of the Kansas City metro. Raytown Schools has created a novel way to address the shortage in their district, but several factors, including pay, are working against Missouri and Kansas districts' efforts to attract and retain qualified talent.


Segment 2, beginning at 24:38: Stories from behind the school bus steering wheel.

They play a critical role in getting kids to school (and back home) every day, but their influence and impact on the day-to-day lives of school children is often overlooked. Two experienced drivers described their favorite parts of the job, and how they approach some of the challenges it can bring.

  • Brooke Winfield, Student Transportation of America bus driver for Kansas City Public Schools
  • Tom Ott, Student Transportation of America terminal manager and bus driver for Center School District

Copyright 2021 KCUR 89.3. To see more, visit KCUR 89.3.

Brian Ellison is substitute host of Central Standard and Up To Date and has served in a variety of roles at KCUR since 2008. He has been acting producer and associate producer of Up To Date and was acting producer of The Walt Bodine Show. A member of the Religion Newswriters Association, he also contributes occasionally to KCUR news coverage. Even before joining the KCUR staff, he was a producer and frequent guest on Up To Date's "Religion Roundtable," as well as a committed listener and volunteer.
Luke X. Martin is an assistant producer for KCUR's Up To Date.