Bus Driver of the Year and safe school bus drivers recognized
Oct. 9, 2018
Kimberly Johnston was recognized as the 2017-2018 Pinellas County School Board Driver of the Year. Johnston, who was recognized at Tuesday’s School Board meeting, began her career with the district as a school bus driver in 2014. She was selected based on numerous letters from supervisors, co-workers, parents and students. Many of the students that Johnston transports are special needs.
One parent wrote “Kimberly is an amazing bus driver. From last school year to this school year, I have watched how my four-year-old with autism has transitioned greatly with her. She is so amazing that I requested she is his driver for this school year.”
Another parent wrote that after her child had open heart surgery, Johnston visited her daughter while in the hospital. “We love Kim, she has been wonderful to us,” the parent wrote.
Through the letters received it was apparent that Johnston has a love and care for these students and goes the extra mile to ensure their bus ride is comfortable and safe.
The Driver Recognition for Outstanding Performance (DROP) program’s mission is not only to bring recognition to school bus drivers but also to heighten awareness in the community of the work that transportation specialists do each and every day. Under this program, eight drivers are awarded Compound Driver of the Month. Drivers are selected as a school bus driver of the month based on recommendations from co-workers, administrators, students, parents and the community. From those eight winners, a “PCSB Driver of the Month” is selected and they become eligible for recognition as the “PCSB Driver of the Year.”
The School Board also recognized 72 school bus drivers who have proven their driving abilities with ten or more years of safe driving. Twenty-seven of those bus drivers have 15 or more years of safe driving. The drivers were presented certificates at today’s meeting. View the list of bus drivers with 10 or more years of safe driving.
Kimberly Johnston was recognized as the 2017-2018 Pinellas County School Board Driver of the Year.
Bus drivers with ten or more years of safe driving were honored at the School Board meeting.