On the Road Together: Sherri & Brian’s Journey with ABC Head Start
Each morning, when a bright yellow bus hums to life, it begins more than a route. It marks the first step in a child’s day, a moment of connection built on care and trust. For Sherri and Brian of Tiffin Transportation, that first moment when a child steps onto the bus and meets a friendly smile is where the day truly starts.
“A smile is universal,” Sherri says. “It doesn’t matter what language a child speaks or if they’re non-verbal, that smile tells them they’re safe and cared for.”
That belief sits at the center of Tiffin’s relationship with ABC Head Start Society, guiding every route, every conversation, and every decision made in support of the children and families they serve together.
A Lifetime on the Road
Both Sherri and Brian have devoted their professional lives to student transportation. Long before founding Tiffin Transportation, they each spent decades working within Alberta school divisions. Brian served as Director of Transportation for Parkland School Division for more than 20 years, and Sherri led the Sturgeon School Division’s transportation department for 15.
They understand the industry from every angle: operations, leadership, and the day-to-day reality of getting children safely where they need to go. Both began behind the wheel as bus operators before moving into management, experiences that gave them an unshakable respect for the people who do the work and the children who depend on them.
Brian grew up immersed in the industry. His parents ran buses long before he was born. Sherri found her passion through empathy. Her son, who was born deaf, entered early learning at age three, and the compassion she received from educators during that time has never left her.
“That experience as a mom changed everything,” she explains. “When I became an administrator, I could always relate to parents who had children who needed extra supports or alternative programs. I wanted to take as many roadblocks out of their way as possible.”
From Retirement to Renewal
By 2019, both Sherri and Brian had earned their retirement. After decades of early mornings and long routes, they were ready for a slower pace. But purpose, it turns out, does not retire easily.
A small Head Start program in Edmonton reached out, struggling to manage its transportation. Sherri agreed to help on a temporary basis with a few buses and a handful of children, something she could do “in her sleep,” as she puts it.
That project reminded her why she loved the work. About a year later, a call came from ABC Head Start Society. At first, Sherri hesitated. But after a few conversations, she realized ABC’s approach to early learning aligned perfectly with her own philosophy of child-centered care.
“I remember thinking, this isn’t just another contract. This is something special,” she says. “ABC wasn’t looking for a vendor; they were looking for a partner.”
A Partnership Built on Collaboration
From the beginning, working with ABC Head Start Society felt different. ABC’s leadership valued Sherri and Brian’s experience and welcomed their input on routes, procedures, and family engagement.
“ABC leverages our expertise,” Sherri explains. “They don’t just hand us a schedule. They collaborate with us. They listen when we raise concerns about a child’s ride time or when we suggest adjustments that make the experience better for families. It’s a true partnership.”
Every plan begins with one guiding question: What is best for the child?
If a route becomes too long, Tiffin starts a conversation with families and ABC staff to find a solution. If a child struggles with transitions, the bus driver learns from the classroom team about what helps. When possible, they mirror classroom strategies on the bus with favorite fidget tools, calming routines, and soft greetings.
“The bus is an extension of the classroom,” Sherri says. “Whatever helps that child feel calm and confident, we try to do too.”
Compassion in Motion
Tiffin’s success is built on culture, not size or profit. Every driver is chosen for their empathy as much as their skill. Sherri and Brian train their team to understand that a familiar face, a steady voice, and a warm smile can mean the world to a child navigating big feelings.
That compassion extends beyond the bus itself. When drivers notice that a family regularly has a harder time getting to the door on schedule, perhaps because a child resists transitions or mornings are challenging, they adjust with care. A quick text to let a parent know the bus is approaching offers reassurance instead of pressure, creating space for success rather than stress.
Sherri explains that those small acts of understanding are part of what makes Tiffin’s relationship with ABC so natural. “We try to meet families where they’re at,” she says. “That’s what ABC does too. It’s never about judgment; it’s about support.”
Their routes serve children from more than 40 languages and cultures, many of whom are learning to regulate emotions, communicate, or adapt to new routines. In those moments, kindness becomes the most powerful tool on the bus. When a child sees a familiar face and receives that warm smile, it tells them, “You belong here.” For many, that is where learning begins.
Why It Matters
Transportation might seem like a small piece of a child’s day, but for many ABC families, it is what makes attendance possible. Some parents work long hours or have limited access to vehicles. Others are new to Canada and still finding their footing in a new city. Reliable, consistent transportation ensures their children can access early learning without barriers.
Sherri and Brian understand that responsibility deeply. They monitor every detail, from route design to driver training to bus maintenance, with the same level of care they once applied at the division level.
They have seen firsthand how early intervention changes lives. They know the difference it makes when a child arrives to school calm instead of anxious, ready instead of overwhelmed.
“Those small things matter,” Sherri reflects. “A shorter ride, a gentle greeting, a familiar toy. They set the tone for the whole day.”
Still Choosing to Care
Five years into their work with ABC Head Start Society, Sherri and Brian could easily step back. Yet, they continue to show up because, as Sherri puts it, “ABC makes it easy to care.”
“ABC is full of wonderful people who share the same goal, to help families succeed. How could we walk away from that?”
For ABC Head Start Society, the admiration is mutual. Tiffin is more than a transportation provider. They are trusted allies in creating equitable access to early learning. Their insight and commitment help shape a system that keeps children at the center.
The Road Ahead
As Tiffin looks to the future, its mission remains simple: to keep compassion in motion. Every day, drivers begin their routes knowing that what they do matters, that a safe, steady ride might be the first step in a child’s brighter future.
Sherri and Brian are proud of the company they have built, one grounded in care, trust, and collaboration. And though they never planned for retirement to look like this, neither can imagine doing anything else.
“We’ve both spent our lives in student transportation,” Sherri says. “But this feels different. With ABC, it’s personal. You see the impact every single day.”
Sherri and Brian and the team at Tiffin Transportation remind us that every journey, no matter how short, can shape a child’s story. Through their compassion, professionalism, and unwavering belief in the power of a smile, they keep ABC Head Start Society’s mission moving forward, one ride, one child, one bright beginning at a time.
About Heroes in Orbit
Heroes in Orbit is a storytelling series from ABC Head Start Society that celebrates the everyday champions who make our mission possible. From educators and family support staff to volunteers and community partners, these are the people who lift others up, go the extra mile, and embody the heart of ABC.