FAIRPORT, N.Y. — Veteran school bus driver Scott Reynolds has been named Transportation Employee of the Year at Fairport Central School District.

Reynolds was recognized for his dedication as a school bus driver after serving Fairport students for 35 years. He retired at the end of February.

For the first 25 years of his career, Reynolds was a substitute driver. For the last 10 years, he was a special-needs school bus driver for students of Holy Childhood, which serves children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Reynolds said that working with students was the highlight of his pupil transportation career.

“I enjoyed driving, but I really looked forward to seeing the kids each day the most,” he said. “I got along great with the students.”

Reynolds was recognized at the regional Professional Pupil Transportation Employee Appreciation Brunch on May 9. More than 20 other school bus professionals from around the Rochester area were also honored at the event.

Fairport Director of Transportation Peter Lawrence said that Reynolds has a valuable ability to connect with his students and their families.

“Scott exemplifies what it means to transport his students to school so they are ready to learn,” Lawrence said. “School bus professionals set the tone for the start and end of the school day. They are truly a vital part of the educational system that is often overlooked and underappreciated.”

A surprise retirement party was thrown for Reynolds in February. Among those in attendance was one of his passengers who has Down syndrome, Ty Coppola, and Ty's parents.

Reynolds drove Ty for years and developed a routine of giving him a "fist bump" when he boarded the bus. That was one of the ways in which Reynolds helped Ty feel comfortable and get his days off to a good start, Ty's father told Today.com in a recent story.

In his retirement, Reynolds said that he is enjoying his hobby of model railroading. Also, his work with young people and transportation safety hasn't ended: He is also teaching students how to drive as an in-car driving instructor.