Meet the Communications Director of OKAPT!
The OKAPT Communications Director is responsible for maintaining all public websites and social media accounts for OKAPT, along with several other responsibilities.
Who I Am
Meet Mr. Zachary Wouters, the Communications Director for OAPT! After being medically discharged from the US Marine Corps in June of 2018, Mr. Wouters served as a Detention Officer for the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office. In October of 2018, Mr. Wouters transitioned to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, serving in the role of a Lead Detention Officer. Mr. Wouters started his journey in public school transportation in November of 2019 as a substitute bus driver for Mustang Public Schools. Mr. Wouters continued working as a Detention Officer until he resigned from the Sheriff's Office in May of 2020.
As a substitute bus driver, Mr. Wouters served in many roles. He gained experience driving multiple routes, assisting office staff, fueling buses, driving field trips, assisting with student discipline, and many other duties. Mr. Wouters became a full time regular route driver in May of 2020. Mr. Wouters continued in this role and performing a wide variety of tasks, while also furthering his education by taking Professional Development Courses with the National Association for Pupil Transportation. Mr. Wouters received the distinction of becoming a Certified Pupil Transportation Specialist in August of 2022.
In November of 2022, Mr. Wouters was offered a position with Putnam City Public Schools as the Transportation Student Discipline Supervisor. Mr. Wouters continues to serve in this role where he is responsible for the student discipline of nearly 8,000 students who ride on nearly 80 buses each day. Mr. Wouters is also responsible for ensuring video systems are in proper working condition on the over 150 buses owned by Putnam City Schools. Mr. Wouters continued to further his education with the National Association for Pupil Transportation, and he is now a Certified Supervisor of Pupil Transportation. Mr. Wouters is currently working to become a Certified Director of Pupil Transportation.
Mr. Wouters faithfully attends First Baptist Church of Mustang, where he serves in any way that he can. In his free time, Mr. Wouters enjoys reading, listening to music, playing with his dog, and spending valuable time with friends and family.
My Experience
5+ Years
of service in Public School Transportation!
2+
Years of Service to the Association
80
Daily routes run inside District
8,000+
Number of Students Transported Daily
Mr. Wouters started his career in November of 2019 when he obtained his CDL to drive school buses part-time. He fell in love with the job, and started as a full-time driver in August of 2020. Mr. Wouters gained experience in all aspects of the Transportation Department, from driving field trips, fueling buses, driving SpEd mid-day routes, driving his own full route, working student discipline, repairing bus video systems, and so much more. His diligent hard work paid off in November of 2022, when he was offerred and accepted a position with Putnam City Public Schools as the new Transportation Student Discipline Supervisor, where he has been ever since. Mr. Wouters now holds certifications with the National Association for Pupil Transportation, and his working on his third with NAPT. Mr. Wouters is also an Oklahoma State Certified School Bus Driver Instructor.