Winner named for special-needs conference scholarship

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Diane Clinkscales, transportation and facilities coordinator for NeighborImpact Head Start in Bend, Ore., has received the 3rd Annual American Logistics Co. (ALC) Scholarship to attend the 20th National Conference and Exhibition on Transporting Students With Disabilities and Preschoolers. 

The event will be held March 11-16 in Kansas City, Mo. According to event sponsor Edupro Group, the scholarship fully funds the cost of travel, lodging, and conference and workshop registration fees. It also includes an allowance for certain meals not provided during the conference. 

Moreover, as an ALC scholarship recipient, Clinkscales will have an opportunity to participate as a presenter during the 2012 National Conference and Exhibition on Transporting Students With Disabilities and Preschoolers.     

At NeighborImpact Head Start in Oregon, Clinkscales provides all phases of instruction for the safe transportation of children 3 to 5 years old. She manages a fleet of 14 buses and supervises, trains, monitors and maintains records for 30 Head Start school bus drivers. She also trains and supports all of NeighborImpact’s Head Start employees as bus monitors. 

“Eighteen to 20 percent of the children served by our Head Start program have identified disabilities … and Diane has made it clear that she expects full inclusion during transport,” said Betty Shuler, Clinkscales’ supervisor.

Last year, Clinkscales’ drivers and buses covered 94,411 miles over rural and urban roadways, through all types of weather conditions, “without any accidents or safety issues,” Shuler added.

When asked how she exercises leadership in her workplace, Clinkscales said, “I believe that a good leader leads with his or her strengths and finds excellent resources to provide support in areas of improvement. Humility is an important component of leadership. Being part of a well-developed team is the best way to lead.”

In addition to working for NeighborImpact Head Start, Clinkscales is a member of the Oregon Pupil Transportation Association and the statewide Early Childhood Transportation Work Group.

For information on the 2011 National Conference and Exhibition on Transporting Students With Disabilities and Preschoolers, visit www.eduprogroup.com.