Faculty and Staff
Donna Porier
Bus Driver
Originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Donna has spent over two decades dedicated to the safety and development of children. She began driving school buses in 2005 and, since 2010, has expanded her expertise by working directly with students with special needs and disabilities, both on the bus and in the classroom. Donna brings a strong educational foundation to her work, having completed her Level 1 Early Childhood Education certification at Bow Valley College. Her commitment to student well-being is further backed by extensive specialized training, including numerous courses in First Aid, child development, assisted living, and mental health. Notably, she has completed the Brain Story and Being Trauma Aware programs, among many other specialized certifications, ensuring she provides a supportive and informed environment for every student who steps onto her bus.
When Donna was looking for a new opportunity, a friend already within the community suggested that she would love the environment here, and she officially took on her role with the Third Academy family in September 2024. She is deeply moved by our mission of "giving hope" and believes that every child deserves a future and love. For Donna, the most rewarding part of the job is watching students reach milestones that others might deem impossible and getting to know the unique personalities of each child she transports.
When she isn’t behind the wheel, Donna enjoys a variety of creative and relaxing hobbies, including reading, crocheting, walking, and crafting. She lives in southeast Calgary with her husband and her two beloved dogs, whom she describes as total angels: Angelo, a Bernese-Pyrenees cross, and Jelly Roll, a long-haired Chihuahua. Donna is also the proud mother of two and a doting grandmother to seven grandchildren.
When Donna was looking for a new opportunity, a friend already within the community suggested that she would love the environment here, and she officially took on her role with the Third Academy family in September 2024. She is deeply moved by our mission of "giving hope" and believes that every child deserves a future and love. For Donna, the most rewarding part of the job is watching students reach milestones that others might deem impossible and getting to know the unique personalities of each child she transports.
When she isn’t behind the wheel, Donna enjoys a variety of creative and relaxing hobbies, including reading, crocheting, walking, and crafting. She lives in southeast Calgary with her husband and her two beloved dogs, whom she describes as total angels: Angelo, a Bernese-Pyrenees cross, and Jelly Roll, a long-haired Chihuahua. Donna is also the proud mother of two and a doting grandmother to seven grandchildren.