From bus driver to router, dispatcher, trainer, manager and director, Desiree Fisher brings over 20 years of bus industry experience to Poudre School District in her new role as the director of Transportation.
Fisher began work for PSD a little over a month ago and comes from Florida, where she has experience with both transit and school buses. She started her career as a driver there and has since worked in nearly every position within bus transportation except as a mechanic.
“Don’t ask me to turn a wrench,” Fisher said. “I know my limitations.”
Before coming to Colorado, Fisher had experience in large school districts such as Duval County Schools in Florida, which serves over 200 schools with an average of a thousand bus routes, Forsyth County Schools in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, along with smaller charter school districts as well.
In her new position, Fisher says she is excited to grow and experience everything Fort Collins has to offer.
“I have spent a little over a month working with this group; each person has a passion for their position,” Fisher said. “We are a group of drivers, supervisors, trainers, routers, dispatchers, and mechanics who take their jobs very seriously, love what they do and work tirelessly to make sure students are safe and happy.”
PSD Chief Operations Officer Jeff Connell values the experience Fisher brings to the team and her leadership style.
“Desiree brings not only a wealth of knowledge and experience in student transportation systems but also brings a wonderful optimistic spirit, a child-centered approach to her work and life, and a spirit of collaboration and mindfulness about our work that is amazing,” Connell said. “I so appreciate the opportunity to support her work and her vision for transportation here at PSD.”
Fisher says school busing is her passion and wants her team to remember that they are an important and valued part of students' school experience.
“Drivers are the first and last person a student sees in their instructional day," Fisher said. "How you treat and respond to a student can make or disrupt their day.”
Outside of work, Fisher enjoys exploring new things and places, riding motorcycles and trying new foods. She is married with a blended family, eight adult children total and “6 ½ grandchildren, the half is due any day now.”