Minnesota Association For Pupil Transportation

Awards Program for Special Education School Bus Drivers and Bus Assistants

The Minnesota Special Education Transportation Committee, in cooperation with the Minnesota Association of Pupil Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Education, is sponsoring the 10^th annual awards program to recognize the best school bus drivers and bus assistants serving Minnesota students with special needs.

This year, we have received sponsorship dollars from vendors.  These dollars will allow us to award the First Place Driver and First Place Bus Assistant the opportunity to receive valuable training at no cost to the school district or contractor.  This training will be held at the Minnesota School Bus Train the Trainer Instructor Seminars in July, 2012.  A district or contractor, with a First Place

winner may choose to send someone else in the winner’s place (ex. A manager, trainer), if more appropriate.

Directions for completing the attached nomination form:

1. The same basic form is used for the driver award and bus assistant award, one form per person; feel free to make copies if you are nominating multiply drivers or bus assistants.
2. Please type or and written, or print legibly
3. In any of the categories, if the space on the form is insufficient, please continue your response on the reverse of the form or on an attached sheet.  If you do this, please clearly mark the additional material to show in which category it belongs.

Explanation of categories:

1. “Shows concern for students” Enter examples of how this nominee has demonstrated concern for the students transported. Examples like, carries toys/books on bus to make bus ride more pleasant, etc.
2. “Ability to communicate…”Enter examples of how the nominee has developed or maintained good communication with students/parents and/or school officials. Examples would be Schedules individual meetings with students and parents prior to the start of the school year; meets regularly with teacher and classroom aide to discuss ways to support educational goals.
3. “Skills nominee developed to…”Enter information on any ways nominee has tried to develop specific skills to aid in job performance.   Examples like Took night classes to learn sign language in order to communicate with deaf child or deaf parent; attended PACER workshop dealing with specific disability of a student or students transported; etc.
4. “Main reason for nominating…” In a few sentences, summarize the main reason(s) you are nominating this person for this award.
5. “Commendations…”Attach copies of letters from staff, parents, etc., notes, cards, newspaper or newsletter articles, etc. that support the fact that the nominee has done as outstanding job.

Click here for the Nominee form