MENU
SEARCHEmma McGowan, who drives a special-needs bus for Gwinnett County (Ga.) Public Schools, continues to outrun the competition at the world masters meet.
School bus driver and sprinter Emma McGowan won gold and silver medals at the 2018 World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships.
School bus driver and sprinter Emma McGowan has once again outrun the competition on the world track stage.
McGowan, who drives a special-needs bus for Gwinnett County (Ga.) Public Schools, won gold in the 400-meter race and silver in the 200 at the 2018 World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships, held Sept. 4 to 16 in Malaga, Spain. She also set an American record for her age division, 50 to 54, with her time of 61.02 seconds in the 400, which is one lap around the track.
In addition to her work with children as a school bus driver, McGowan is a mother of twins. She said that training is not easy, but she refuses to give up.
“I’m a competitive person in sports, and as long as I can keep running with no major injuries, I’ll keep going,” she said in a press release from Gwinnett County Public Schools.
The World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships are a biennial competition for masters athletes (at least 35 years old) from around the globe.
McGowan has been competing — and winning — on the international stage for years. In 2016, she won gold medals in the 100-meter and 200-meter races at the World Masters Track and Field Championships in Perth, Australia. In 2015, she took gold in the 100 at the meet in her native France, while also winning silver in the 200 and 400.
Still, she’s not ready to rest on her laurels.
“Being in the top three in the world in my new age group, Women 50, it’s going to push me even more to be the best,” McGowan said.
What’s changing in special-needs transportation? Operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and emerging challenges. Details here! Survey sponsor: AMF Bruns of America.
Read More →
The state moves to review special education transportation policies following safety concerns raised by families and advocates.
Read More →
Keeping buses safe, reliable, and on schedule requires more than manual processes. This eBook explores how modern fleet software supports school transportation teams with automated maintenance scheduling, smarter video safety tools, and integrated data systems. Discover practical ways fleets are reducing breakdowns, improving safety, and saving valuable staff time.
Read More →
Learn more about what federal law really allows when sharing special-needs information with bus drivers and aides while protecting student privacy.
Read More →
Julio Ospina, a SPED driver and safety trainer at Wylie ISD in Texas, was named the national winner in AMF's annual driver award series.
Read More →
The most important factor in operating as safely as possible is leadership. Learn about an innovative new training course that teaches all levels of leadership the many practices to instill a safety culture in the drivers.
Read More →
Help shape the 2026 state of Special-Needs Transportation report! School district and contractor leaders — share your notes on ridership, equipment, and staffing by Dec. 31, 2025.
Read More →
Learn how modern telematics helps pupil transportation fleets operate more safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively while proving measurable value to their communities. See how real fleets are reducing idling, improving driver safety, and using video data to protect budgets and passengers alike.
Read More →
New data reveals frontline perspectives on supporting some of America’s most vulnerable students, detailing transportation challenges and possible solutions.
Read More →
For decades, Henkensiefken has been a cornerstone of special education transportation in Minnesota. As she prepares for retirement, her career reflects on the industry's evolution and her unwavering commitment to its advancement.
Read More →
