WSET.com - ABC13Amherst County Bus Driver Turns Tutor

Reporter: Jeremy Mills | Videographer: Jemon Haskins

Amherst Co., VA - A local school bus driver in Amherst County is earning recognition for the extra attention he gives his students.

Administrators at Amelon Elementary say they just discovered he's tutoring the children during the ride.

He says he has a simple reason for why he does it: it's what's best for the kids.

Fifth grade teacher Janet Madison says she learned a lesson last week, when she asked a student about studying for a quiz.

"And she said, 'Oh, I'm ready because my bus driver helped me study,' and I said, 'Really?'" said Madison.

She believes it really helped.

"It definitely helped her, she did really well on the quiz," said Madison.

The news took the principal by surprise.

"I did not know until all of this came out that he was quizzing them and giving them extra practice," said Amelon Elementary School Principal Donna Lewis.

Three-year veteran bus driver Preston Lewis doesn't think it's a big deal.

"I never thought that all of this would come out but I just saw a need and I jumped right in," said Lewis.

The soft-spoken father of four often goes over lesson plans in math, history and social studies.

"I think that's what we have to do. We have to show our kids that we are concerned about them and we love and we care because so many kids, they don't ever see that," said Lewis.

"It also helps keep them engaged, to know that someone else other than the teacher cares about what they are doing," said Madison.

Lewis says he's glad everyone approves because he doesn't plan to stop.

"I love it because kids are impressionable, they're our most precious cargo and we need to do something to instill some goodness in our kids," he said.