Bus driver fired after letting 11-year-old drive her school bus, ‘It’s all good’
Imagine sending your child to school, trusting they’ll be safely transported by a professional bus driver, only to find out that same driver handed over the steering wheel to a sixth-grader. That’s reality for parents in Valparaiso, Indiana after Joandrea McAtee allowed three students to take turns driving her school bus. While videos of the incident quickly went viral, the consequences were far from humorous, and the community has been left grappling with the aftermath.
In a shocking incident in Valparaiso, Indiana, a school bus driver encouraged three students—aged 11, 13, and 17—to drive her bus, leading to her immediate firing and criminal charges. Joandrea McAtee, a 27-year-old bus driver, was responsible for transporting children safely home. But instead she handed the steering wheel to unlicensed minors. The event, which occurred in September 2018, quickly escalated when students filmed their peers driving the bus and shared the footage on social media.
Parents immediately sent the viral videos to Boone Grove High School officials who in turn sent them to the Porter County Sheriff’s Office. In the videos, McAtee can be seen standing beside the student drivers, giving instructions and, at one point, sitting behind them as they navigated the bus. The students, who were driving on public roads, appeared to be treating the experience casually. But with the bus packed with passengers, the dangers were immense.
“Imagine finding out your sixth-grader drove a bus full of kids—that’s terrifying,” said one parent, whose child was onboard during the incident. “It’s hard to believe an adult would think this was okay.”
The situation was investigated immediately after it was brought to the attention of both the school district and law enforcement. “The safety of our students is a top priority,” said Stacey Schmidt, superintendent of Porter Township School Corporation. “We are angered and disappointed by the actions of this driver. Her behavior does not reflect the dedication of our staff, and we acted quickly to ensure student safety.”
First Student, the bus service provider contracted by Porter Township, echoed this sentiment in a public statement. “There is nothing more important than the safety of the students we transport,” said company spokeswoman Jen Biddinger. “We have a zero-tolerance policy for any behavior that puts children at risk, and the driver was terminated immediately.” McAtee was arrested shortly thereafter, while picking up her final paychecks, according to School Transportation News.
McAtee’s decision to allow students to drive came as a complete shock to the community. Operating a school bus is a responsibility that requires training and licensing for a reason. Even under the best conditions, driving such a large vehicle is challenging, and the risk increases exponentially with young, unlicensed drivers at the wheel.
Videos of the incident rapidly spread on platforms like Twitter, garnering thousands of views and prompting heated reactions. One clip shows McAtee reassuring a student driver by saying, “It’s all good, it’s all good,” while sitting behind the child. The footage drew both local and national attention, with media outlets from CBS News to The Drive covering the incident.
Ultimately, McAtee was charged with felony neglect of a dependent, a serious offense in Indiana that can carry significant penalties, including prison time. While no injuries resulted from the event, authorities emphasized that this outcome could have been much worse.
Porter County Sheriff David Reynolds praised the parents and students who came forward with the footage. “This could have easily turned into a tragedy,” he said. “We’re grateful to those who reported this so we could take immediate action.” He also underscored the importance of community involvement in maintaining safety, urging citizens to always speak up when they see something potentially dangerous.
For parents in the Porter Township School District, the incident raised serious questions about how something like this could happen. Rochelle McNamara, a local parent, expressed disbelief when she learned what had transpired. “When I saw the video, I was just like, ‘I don’t understand where an adult who’s driving a bus gets the idea that this is okay,’” she said. Her reaction echoed the sentiment of many in the community, who have since demanded stricter oversight for school bus drivers.
As McAtee’s case moved through the legal system, the public response continued to focus on the need for accountability and systemic improvements. School buses are supposed to be one of the safest forms of transportation for students, but incidents like this highlight the potential risks when safety protocols are not followed.
In the aftermath, both the school district and First Student reassured parents that they would be reviewing their procedures to prevent future incidents. While the case brought national attention to Valparaiso, it also served as a sobering reminder of the critical responsibility school bus drivers hold.
