First Student monitor awarded for work with children with disabilities

The Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Ohio presents Sharon Parker with a Community Starfish Award. Alan Mustard, First Student location manager, says Parker is “dedicated to the children she helps transport, and is committed to making riding the bus a positive experience by showing them care, compassion and respect.”

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

July 7, 2014

First Student monitor awarded for work with children with disabilities — Sharon Parker (shown center) is pictured with Alan Mustard, First Student Marysville location manager (second from right), and representatives of the Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities. She won a Community Starfish Award for her work with children with disabilities.

1 min to read

CINCINNATI — The Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Ohio recognized First Student Monitor Sharon Parker last month with a Community Starfish Award. The award honors individuals or organizations that go above and beyond the call of duty for the benefit an individual with developmental disabilities.

“Sharon is most deserving of this special recognition,” said Alan Mustard, First Student location manager. “She is dedicated to the children she helps transport, and is committed to making riding the bus a positive experience by showing them care, compassion and respect.”

Parker is a monitor for the Harold Lewis Center, which provides early childhood education for children with developmental disabilities. She received specialized training to work the route. Parker uses songs and games to engage the children on her bus. She joined the First Student Marysville, Ohio, team in 2010.

Topics:aide/monitor First Student Inc.Ohio Safety Special Needs Transportation

More Special Needs Transportation

Students walking away from a school bus with a driver in the background, representing efforts to improve student behavior support and safety in school transportation programs.

Special Needs Transportation•by News/Media Release•March 20, 2026

First Student Boosts Student Support in Wichita & Texas

First Student and Wichita Public Schools are using behavioral support strategies to improve student ride experiences, while a separate initiative expands access to after-school programs through a bus donation.

7 Key Criteria for Choosing a School Bus Fleet Technology Partner

Selecting a fleet technology partner can be complex, especially with evolving operational demands and limited resources. This white paper outlines seven key criteria to help school transportation leaders evaluate options and align technology with their needs. It offers a practical framework to support more informed decision-making.

Infographic showing a yellow school bus with a wheelchair lift and charts highlighting 2026 special-needs transportation statistics, including ridership changes and driver pay comparisons.

2026 Special-Needs Transportation Survey

What’s changing in special-needs transportation? This year, student transportation operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and evolving challenges. Sponsored by AMF Bruns of America.

Sponsored•by Amanda Huggett•February 13, 2026

The Lived-Experience Gap in Mobility Tech: An Expert Take on Safe Student Transportation

Brianna Pauwee, a product application specialist at AMF Bruns of America and a wheelchair user, drops in to The Route to share practical securement and training insights, plus the story behind the new “Beyond Mobility” podcast. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.