School Bus Driver Honored on <I>Good Morning America</i> for Comforting Student

AUGUSTA, Wis. — A school bus driver here was honored on Good Morning America after a photo of her comforting a frightened student on his first day of school was widely shared on social media.

As School Bus Fleet previously reported in September, Isabel Lane, a driver for Augusta School District, placed her hand behind her seat for 4-year-old Axel, a student starting a kindergarten program, to hold onto as he became upset when it was time to board the school bus. Axel’s mother was trying to take a photo of him happily riding the bus for the first time but managed to capture Lane’s heartwarming gesture instead.

On Monday, Lane, who is also a special education teacher’s aide for the district, was honored during Good Morning America’s “Make Your Monday” segment, where she received the day off from work and a limousine ride to Lotus Spa in Eau Claire, Wis.

Ken Sigurdson, the dean of students and transportation director for Augusta School District, told Good Morning America that he was fortunate to have Lane as a student when he worked as a teacher for the district, and that she always brings the same positivity and enthusiasm to work as she did when she was a student.

Lane told Good Morning America that she feels overwhelmed by all of the support from the community and school district, and that it is satisfying to be able to make an impact on someone so young.

Augusta School District shared the full segment on its Facebook page. Watch the video below.