Employee Awards
2026-2027
TAPT Annual Employee of the Year Awards Program
The TAPT Employee of the Year Awards Program offers the opportunity for current TAPT Members in a supervisory role to recognize deserving staff members. Recipients 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 Nomination form provided online.
- Deadline for online submissions: DEADLINE MARCH 26, 2027
- The person submitting the nomination must be a TAPT Member in good standing.
- Please submit one nomination per person.
- If the recipient is not registered for the Full Conference, the Director will be provided with a complimentary ticket for the nominee for the Awards Banquet. Pick up at the Registration Counter.
- Additional banquet tickets for family members of the recipient may be purchased online before registration closes. After that a limited number may be purchased at the registration counter.
- Travel is the responsibility of the Director of Transportation.
- ONE table will be reserved for each category of Employee of the Year. The recipient, the Director and the sponsoring company representatives will be seated in the front of the Ballroom.
- Other seating is the financial 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 District Director may email the Executive Director after the April TAPT 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 Transportation Driver of the Year:
Person who drives or subs on a route to transport students with special needs to school and home each day. (Driver and attendant may be from different districts.)
Special Transportation Attendant of the Year:
Person whose role is to assist the driver on a route that transports students with special needs on a specially equipped school bus.
Rookie of the Year Award:
This person may be anyone in the Transportation Department who has only been employed for one year or less but has exceeded expectations for someone new in their position.
Trainer of the Year Award:
This person must have been in their position for at least one year and be someone who has gone above and beyond in training and retraining school bus drivers and attendants in relevant and innovative ways. (New 2027.)
Shop Technician of the Year Award:
This award is for shop technicians who exemplify safe and efficient vehicle maintenance, display a team spirit and go beyond expectations. (New 2026)
Operations Specialist of the Year Award:
This category could include routers, dispatchers, trainers, lead drivers, field trip coordinators or anyone in a similar position that has exceeded expectations.
Shop Supervisor of the Year:
This person must have held his current position for at least one year and exemplifies strong leadership in his/her daily shop management. (New 2027)
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.
Q’Straint Special Needs “Above and Beyond” Award:
This award is sponsored and presented by Q’Straint/SureLok to a specialist, supervisor, driver or attendant who goes above and beyond daily expectations related to the transportation of students with disabilities.