Employee Awards
The TAPT Employee of the Year Awards Program offers the opportunity for current TAPT Members in a supervisory role to recognize deserving staff members. Those selected will be recognized at the annual Awards Banquet.
The award categories and brief descriptions are listed below. Please be sure to read and explain why the person being nominated is deserving of the recognition on the online nominations form.
- Deadline for submissions: April 1
- The person submitting the nomination must be a TAPT Member in good standing.
- Please do not submit multiple nominations for the same individual from the same district.
- If the recipient is not registered for the Full Conference, the Director will be provided a complimentary ticket for the nominee for the Awards Banquet. Pickup at the Registration Counter.
- Additional banquet tickets for family members of the recipient may be purchased online before registration closes. After that they may be purchased at the Registration Counter while supplies last.
- Travel is the responsibility of the Director of Transportation.
- ONE table will be reserved for each category of Employee of the Year recipient, the Director, and the sponsoring company representatives at the front of the Ballroom. Other seating is the responsibility of the district.
- Each recipient will be introduced and will join the presenting sponsor on stage to receive their award.The Director will join to have photos taken.
- The Director of the recipient will be notified and should confirm attendance. The department may email the Executive Director after the April Board meeting to see if their nominee was selected.
Regular Driver of the Year
Person who drives or subs on a general education route to transport students to school and home each day.
Special Needs Driver of the Year
Person who drives or subs on a route to transport students with special needs to school and home each day.
Special Needs Attendant of the Year
Person whose role is to assist the driver on a route that transports students with special needs.
Note: The Special Needs Driver and Attendant of the Year may be from different districts.
This award is sponsored and presented by Q'Straint/Sure-Lok to a specialist, driver or attendant who goes above and beyond daily expectations related to the transportation of students with disabilities.
Rookie of the Year
This person may be anyone in the Transportation Department who has only been employed one year or less but has exceeded expectations for someone new to their position.
Operations Specialist of the Year
This category could include routers, dispatchers, trainers, lead drivers, field trip coordinators or anyone in a similar position that has exceeded expectations.
Operations Supervisor of the Year
This person should be someone in a supervisory role within the transportation department who assists the Director with daily operations; is a role model; and promotes the safe transportation of students.
Shop Technician of the Year
This award may be for anyone in the Transportation Shop including Fleet Managers, who demonstrate the importance for safety through good fleet preventive maintenance and shop standards. (New for 2026)