When the average American thinks about heroes, they probably picture doctors, emergency responders, teachers, maybe a loved one, or a fictional character like Superman. But in this profession, we know that the unsung heroes are school bus drivers.
They are the people who get up early to transport our nation’s children to and from school every day. They literally drive kids to their future, to opportunity. They care just as much for the passengers on their buses as the administrators inside the schools they drive them to. Yet too often, they don’t get the credit they deserve.
We believe it’s time to shine a light on these heroes. That’s why we, along with AngelTrax as sponsor, created a new award series debuting in our September 2025 magazine issue. School bus drivers should know how much they are loved and appreciated, even when they don’t hear it as often as they should.
In fact, as we reviewed the nominations (all 150 of them!), we were overwhelmed at how many kind, caring, dedicated drivers make up this industry. Reading their stories touched our hearts, and we were blown away by how many go so far above and beyond what is expected.
Yet, these same drivers remain humble. To them, it’s just part of the job. Things like supporting students’ lives, creating a safe and stable space, offering them a voice and a friendly ear, are not outlined in their job description. It is just what they naturally do.
We read about countless drivers who come in early and stay late, create care packages and buy holiday meals for families in need, work double shifts, cover for others, never complain, mentor, volunteer, and have perfect safety records.
In fact, some nominations this year were so powerful that they brought me to tears. Like the woman who performed the Heimlich maneuver on a student choking on gum. The van driver who saved his non-verbal passenger after their vehicle flipped on its side and accompanied the boy in the ambulance. The man who brought a small child, found running in the street with little clothing, onto the bus to keep warm until police could assist. The military veteran who fell while holding dynamite and still drives the school bus and volunteers in his community, dressing up as a clown to entertain kids in hospitals. And especially the driver who realized one student who sat up front and chatted with her often had nowhere to sleep at night, so she took her into her own home, and recently celebrated her graduation from law school.
“I only played a small role,” the latter wrote, “but goes to show you never know what impact or influence you can make in a child's life and theirs to others.” While she is right about the second part of her statement, it’s clear that she and others play much more than a small role in the lives of their riders.
These stories made it incredibly difficult to pick just one winner, as it was clear they all deserve to be honored. I wish we had space to tell you about each.
Alas, we could only choose one. And we could not be more excited to unveil this year’s — and the first ever — winner of the School Bus Driver Hero Award. Jackie Wilkerson Brown is an absolute gem — a fact that was apparent from her nominations and solidified during the phone call informing her that she was selected as the winner. After we cried together, Jackie’s first words in reply were about how much she loves the kids on her bus.
Jackie and so many others exhibit what it means to be a positive role model and a figure students can trust and rely on. They have endless love and support for their students, bursting with passion for their jobs, upholding the meaning of community, and exhibiting empathy for those who rely on them every day.
We’re lucky to work in an industry with so many selfless everyday heroes. This award is not enough to thank the outstanding drivers in our industry, but it’s one small step to sharing the stories that need to be told.
Hopefully in time, school bus drivers will be held in the same high regard as teachers and doctors. They may not wear capes, but every morning they start the engine of the most important vehicle in America — the school bus — and their real superpower is the love and care they give to the students on board.
