Desoto County bus driver honored as best in state
Patricia Petty was recently awarded Mississippi Association of Pupil Transportation’s “Above and Beyond” Award as the top Special Education Bus Driver in the state.
The award was presented at the MAPT conven- tion banquet in Jackson.
Petty has been a driver for DeSoto County Schools — the largest district in Mississippi — since April 2003.
For the last seven years, she has been transporting special education students.
Prior to becoming a bus driver Petty was a business owner and after retirement she said she did not want to just stay home.
Petty is married and she and her husband have four children, 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Petty said she loves to travel and spend time with her grandchildren.
In her spare time she likes to visit the senior center and play dominoes and mahjong.
“We are proud of her,” said DCS director of transportation John Caldwell.
“There are so many wonderful bus drivers it is hard to stand out,” Caldwell said.
But, “One of our parents started the ball rolling with a phone call to us thanking Mrs. Petty for her contribution to her child’s development, education and graduation this year.”