SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

NAPT Announces 2025 Award Winners

The association for public and private student transportation services will honor outstanding members for their service, continuing education, training and safety, special-needs, and heroism.

NAPT Announces 2025 Award Winners

All individuals will be honored in person at the association's conference in Michigan soon.

Photo: School Bus Fleet

2 min to read


Today, the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT)announced the winners of the 2025 NAPT Annual Awards Program, recognizing exceptional achievements in student transportation. 

The 2025 honorees exemplify safety, leadership, innovation, and dedication in ensuring that more than 26 million children travel to and from school securely each day.

Ad Loading...

2025 Winners

  • Distinguished Service Award: Stephanie Walker, CDPT, CSPT, CSNT, CPTS, Director of Transportation for Habersham County Schools (Georgia)

  • Distinguished Service Award: Denny Coughlin, Owner at School Bus Training Company

  • Continuing Education Award: Michelle Summers, CSPT, Assistant Director of Transportation at Friendswood ISD (Texas). The Continuing Education Award is sponsored by Thomas Built Buses.

  • School Bus Driver Training & Safety Award: Sherri Zulick,Training Coordinator at Maine School Administrative District 06. The School Bus Driver Training & Safety Award is sponsored by IC Bus.

  • Special Needs Transportation Award: Katherine Michael, CSPT, CPTS, Special Needs Route Supervisor at Fayette County Schools (Georgia). The Special Needs Transportation Award is sponsored by Q'Straint.

  • Heroism Award: Spartanburg District 6 staff, bus driver Crystal Foster and bus monitor Joclyn Johnson for their heroic actions in saving children from a house fire. The Heroism Award is sponsored by Blue Bird.

Hall of Fame Inductee

In addition, NAPT announced that Alexandra Robinson will be the sole inductee into the NAPT Hall of Fame for 2025. "Her visionary leadership, decades of service, and unwavering commitment to safe, equitable student transportation have transformed our industry and inspired professionals nationwide," the association wrote on social media.

All award winners will be honored at NAPT's ACTS conference, Oct. 31-Nov. 4 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 1 at 3:45 p.m.

More Management

A school bus driver wearing a safety vest exchanges a high-five with a smiling young student near the front of a school bus. Sunlight streams through the windows as another adult stands nearby.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJune 18, 2026

What Happens to a School Bus After Retirement? First Student Has a New Answer

Through a new partnership with Advanced Remarketing Services, proceeds from retired vehicle sales will support Special Olympics and other community-focused organizations while advancing sustainability goals.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet leadership update graphic featuring the School Bus Logistics logo and headshots of three newly hired software data analysts: CJ Merrill, Jake Nulick, and Valorie Ashburn.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 18, 2026

School Bus Logistics Adds 3 Data Analysts, Expands Routing Capabilities

Three new data analysts and a BusRight certification bring an added layer of support to the routing services districts already use.

Read More →
Cover page of an NSTA (National School Transportation Association) whitepaper titled "Outsourcing Student Transportation Services Toolkit: Benefits of Contracting Transportation Services." The design features a blue and gold color scheme with a yellow school bus graphic at the top. The subtitle reads, "Discover the value and benefits of converting to contracted student transportation services, a proven road to cost reduction and service enhancement." Contact information for NSTA appears at the bottom, including the website YellowBuses.org and email address info@yellowbuses.org
SponsoredJune 18, 2026

Outsourcing Student Transportation Services Toolkit

Did you know nearly 40% of school districts utilize a private contractor to serve their transportation needs? Explore why more school leaders are turning to contracted transportation services, and how outsourcing can create meaningful value without sacrificing control. Discover the practical benefits of a transportation services platform that provides flexibility with coordination.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of a laptop displaying the EverDriven logo against a blue background, with the text "New AI-Powered Transportation Operations Hub" and the School Bus Fleet logo.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 17, 2026

EverDriven Debuts TripCentral as New District Transportation Portal

The new transportation management hub takes over the district portal to power trip planning, operations, visibility, and intelligence for school district transportation needs.

Read More →
Promotional graphic for School Bus Fleet's "Five Questions" series featuring Craig Beaver of Beaverton School District. The image shows Beaver smiling in an office setting alongside text reading "Five Questions with Craig Beaver." School Bus Fleet logo appears at the bottom.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJune 17, 2026

Lessons Learned from 4 Decades in Transportation: 5 Questions with Craig Beaver

Sit down with longtime transportation leader Craig Beaver moments before he retires, as he reflects on his career leading up to his role at Beaverton School District in Oregon and the secrets to leading great teams.

Read More →
Three people pose in front of a line of school buses.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJune 16, 2026

BusRight Honors Texas Driver With Inaugural Behind The Wheel Award

Selected from more than 300 nominations, Lawson Crook earned BusRight’s inaugural award for his dedication to students and safety.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Promotional graphic for The Route podcast by School Bus Fleet. On a bright yellow background with light circular accents, large text reads "4 Decades of Leadership Lessons." Featured guest Craig Beaver of Beaverton School District is shown smiling in a suit and tie on the right side of the image. The School Bus Fleet logo and The Route branding appear at the top left, with sponsorship by IC Bus displayed near the top center.
Sponsoredby Amanda HuggettJune 15, 2026

Craig Beaver’s Final Stop: Lessons from 43 Years in Transportation

After more than four decades in transportation, retiring Beaverton School District director Craig Beaver reflects on leadership, alternative fuels, AI, staffing, and what’s coming next. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.

Read More →
The Route thumbnail with school bus fleet logo
ManagementJune 15, 2026

What 43 Years in Transportation Taught Craig Beaver About Leadership

After more than four decades in transportation, retiring Beaverton School District admin Craig Beaver reflects on leadership, alternative fuels, AI, staffing, and what’s coming next.

Read More →
Tod Eskra stands on an award stage to accept recognition
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 12, 2026

ASTP's Tod Eskra Named an Entrepreneur of the Year

The award from Ernst & Young honors visionary leadership behind one of America's fastest-growing student transportation contracting companies.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A black and white image of a school bus technician checking diagnostics as part of a graphic with text reading "How Do Today's School Bus Manufacturers Measure Up?"
Managementby StaffJune 10, 2026

Drivers and Technicians: Help Benchmark Today's School Bus Manufacturers

If you've spent time behind the wheel or under the hood, we want to hear your perspective on the buses you know best.

Read More →