Special-needs transporter named district’s Driver of the Year

FALLSINGTON, Pa. — Debra Roche, who has 37 years of experience at the wheel and has transported special-needs students for the past decade, has been named 2011-12 Bus Driver of the Year at her district, the Levittown Patch reports.

Roche was chosen for the honor out of 135 school bus drivers at Pennsbury School District. The school board made the announcement in mid-September.

“Mrs. Roche has literally transported thousands of children to and from school safely for almost four decades,” said Charlie Williams, Pennsbury’s director of transportation, according to the Patch. “She has spent the last 10 years on the job transporting special-education children. This segment of the Pennsbury population can present a wide array of challenges, and it takes a special combination of patience and understanding to [be] able to gain their trust.”

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