Innovation Academy Student Impresses the Pros with His Passion
Innovation Academy Student Impresses the Pros with His Passion
FCS Innovation Academy student, Jack Hartman, with FCS veteran bus driver, Gail Coleman
Bumper to bumper – if you ask Jack Hartman anything about a school bus, chances are he will fill you in on everything you need to know.
“His knowledge is unmatched and just amazing,” says Jessica Lundy Barksdale, assistant principal at Innovation Academy (IA).
Jack is a student at IA, in the engineering pathway. The school’s unique structure allows him to expand his passion for buses – an area where Jack’s impressive knowledge comes into play. He got the opportunity to expand his expertise during a visit to the Fulton County School (FCS) Transportation Department’s North Depot back in September.
“I have never seen Jack so excited,” says Barksdale.
The busy day was arranged by FCS Director of Transportation Operations Trey Stow. Jack visited on a Flex Friday – a program at IA where students have the opportunity for hands-on learning outside the classroom.
Executive Director of Transportation Services, Vickie Cross, calls Stow a “superstar” for putting it all together.
Jack’s day started with a ride from IA to the North Depot on a school bus, but not just any bus. He had it all to himself, with FCS veteran bus driver Gail Coleman behind the wheel.
“She’s working on her 40th year with us driving,” says Stow.
Stow says Coleman, “was a wealth of knowledge,” answering all of Jack’s questions about the history of the FCS Transportation Department and “the kind of buses we used to run back in the day.”
When Jack and Coleman pulled up to the North Depot, Stow outfitted him in a safety vest to make him an official part of the transportation team. From there, Jack went through a typical day at the depot, meeting with dispatch, checking in with supervisors, and walking through inspections. In the repair shop, Stow had a bus up on a rack to make sure Jack could check out every detail. He was impressed by Jack’s knowledge of the bus’s engine type, nicknamed “Godzilla.”
Jack’s bank of knowledge is invested in another topic – elevators. During a visit to New York City, KNOE Elevators and Escalators gave Jack an in-depth tour of state-of-the art elevators at Wildflower Studios. The TV and movie production studio is co-owned by film legend Robert DeNiro.
Back at the North Depot, Stow says the day was as much of a highlight for his crew as it was for Jack.
“I’m all about peaking these kids’ interests, especially if they have a passion for it,” says Stow.
