EDCOE Team Member Spotlight - Suzanne Bettencourt

09:20 AM - April 28, 2021

Briefly describe your background (where you grew up, family, why you came to work for EDCOE).

I grew up in El Dorado County attending Gold Trail and El Dorado High School. During one of my ROP classes in high school I was able to do an internship at one of the Children’s Centers. I absolutely fell in love with working with the little ones, so I continued my education in early childhood development. I did not follow my original plan to become a Private investigator. I was super fortunate to get a job with EDCOE at a very young age and have been with EDCOE for 32 years. I am happily married to my soul mate. I have 1 son and 2 step children. I am patiently waiting for grand babies.

What is your department, title, and how long have you worked for EDCOE?

I work for Special Services in the Transportation department as a School Bus Driver. I have been with this department for the past 11+ years.

Describe how your role helps support programs/schools/students directly or indirectly.

My role as a bus driver is helping students to get to and from school safely. I am the first EDCOE employee the students come in contact with, and I feel it is my duty to put a smile on each and every one of their faces. (Yep, I'm that driver lol!)

What are you and your team doing to support education during COVID-19?

We as a department are doing our best to maintain all the proper safety COVID-19 protocols, while maintaining a seamless as possible transition for our students as they return to full school schedule.

What do you most appreciate about your department/team?

I most appreciate the drivers during this challenging time for all their time and efforts to make things work as smoothly as possible.

What is your proudest moment at EDCOE? Why?

My proudest EDCOE moment was reaching my 30 years of service; it has always been a goal of mine.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I love, love spending time outdoors, 4 wheeling on the Rubicon trail, and kayaking (whether the lake is frozen or not). I'm also not an average baker, but I find baking rewarding and therapeutic. In this past year I have also become the crazy chicken lady LOL!

What is something many people may not know about you?

Many people may not know that I used to do pistol shooting competitions with the USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association).

If you could meet anyone in the world, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

If I could meet anyone dead or alive it would be Mark Smith. He was truly a legend, icon, and an inspiration to the Rubicon Trail and off-road community. I would absolutely love to hear his stories.

From supervisor, Paul Bracco, Director, Transportation:

Our drivers are the first adult out of a child’s home they see every school day. Suzie has had that pleasure to be that first adult for one of her students for the last 10 years. This statement, alone, is a very remarkable accomplishment. The relationship that Suzie has built with not only the student but with the family is firmly built on trust. This student is aging out of our program this year, but I know the relationship that Suzie shares with the student and her family will continue on for many more years. It’s a pleasure having Suzie as part of our team.

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