BROOKLYN, Conn. -- For over three decades, a Brooklyn school bus driver has been delivering generations of students to and from school.

June Vanflatern began driving her school bus 31 years ago while her children were still in school.

"My oldest was in the ninth grade, and my son was in the third grade. They were established in school. I decided I would try for this because it was school-related, and I would have vacations off with them, so I did," she said.

Vanflatern's husband said that he initially didn't think that his wife was cut out for her new job.

"I didn't think she'd do it. I didn't think she'd pass it -- she's too small. But she did it, and it's 30 years later, and she can do it better than I can tell you," said Leonard Vanflatern.

Vanflatern said that it took a little bit of practice to get used to driving the bus, which can hold up to 77 students.

"It took me a little time to figure out how to back it up straight," Vanflatern said.

Besides her tenure on the job, Vanflatern often proves herself different from other bus drivers in the type of relationships she creates with her passengers.

"It's a big responsibility," said student passenger Christopher Klawitter. "She has to deal with all of us screaming and talking all over the place."

Besides ensuring her passengers' safety, Vanflatern also tries to promote the students' emotional well-being.

Vanfaltern has been making afghans and quilts for her young riders over years.

"If it's the last time of the eight-year stop, I make an afghan for them because I wouldn't see them anymore," Vanflatern said.

Vanflatern said that one of her passengers lost her father.

"He died and it just bothered me that she was going to be without her father, and I made her one. She was quite taken with it," Vanflatern said.

Mother Annie Klawitter said she appreciates Vanflatern's love of her job. She said she rode Vanflatern's bus as a child and now her children ride it.

"It's very comforting. I remember my daughter's first day of middle school here and the bus pulling up. I was such a wreck as it was with her attending middle school. … It's just a relief to know that she's there and you can count on her," Klawitter said.

"She's an absolutely wonderful woman. We're very proud of her, and very glad to have her here in Brooklyn," Assistant Principal of Brooklyn Middle School Marybeth Sweet said.

Sweet described Vanflatern as a positive role model.

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