Maria Sonaly Caro
Training Director

Maria Sonaly Caro’s dedicated 25 plus years of her life to the school bus industry, first as a school bus monitor then as a bus driver while completing her college degree. After graduating from college, her heart was already yellow. She started keeping up with industry standards and obtaining the certifications and requirements to become a School Bus Driver Instructor.

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Maria is a certified NYSED School Bus Master Instructor. She is a member of NYS Education Department - Commissioner’s School Bus Driver Instructor Advisory Committee and member of different organizations that play key roles in the school bus industry at the state and national levels. She continues volunteering annually at state and national level special needs Rodeo.

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In the path of learning how to transport student safely, Maria became a certified child passenger safety technician. She has participated at The Latino Community Outreach Education in the Mid-Hudson Region and New York City area events as a bi-lingual speaker and presented Wheelchair Securement modules. Moreover, she presented 'Riding the School Bus Curriculum' at Greenburgh Central School District.

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Maria has received The American Red Cross the Outstanding Volunteer Award effort in the area of Health and Safety Services. In addition, she has received the Child Passenger Safety Technician Shining Star Award. The NYS DMV Annual Report in the session Partnering for Safety feature Maria’s dedication to school bus training. The School Transportation News interviewed Maria’s in the topic: Providing a Special Service for Special Kids. The Spanish Newspaper, El Diario La Prensa interviewed and published the article: “Al Volante de un Autobus Amarillo” English translation: Behind-the Wheel on the

Yellow Bus.

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Maria continues volunteering at car seat events in the NYC, Westchester County, and Mid-Hudson areas. Maria lives in Westchester, New York with her husband and daughter- a bilingual Spanish First Aid and CPR instructor.