Earlier this month, the Tennessee Association of Pupil Transportation (TAPT) honored its 2026 Hall of Fame inductees.

This year, two were inducted: Frances Theiring, a school bus driver for Wilson County Schools in Lebanon, Tennessee, and Jerry Green, a driver for Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga.

Frances Theiring’s Calling to Serve Students With Special Needs

Retired this past May, Theiring both drove a special education bus and taught in a special ed classroom for 49 years.

She told a local news website that she had a cousin with cerebral palsy, which is what introduced her to the special education community, and inspired her to study early childhood education. 

While Theiring never intended to drive a school bus, she realized it would be a good opportunity because she was headed to the school anyway and may as well bring some students with her. Then, she realized the schedule was perfect for raising a family.

A career highlight — aside from seeing smiles on the kids’ faces — was driving for the schools’ work-based learning program, transporting students to job sites and training. “It was a way to help students who needed to feel good about themselves do things,” she explained to School Bus Fleet. “I brought them to things like Special Olympics track and field. They got to feel part of a community and learn about people; it was an opportunity to go places that was hard for some of them.”

Theiring said that when it comes to driving a bus, “some of it is hard, but most of it is rewarding. I felt like it was my calling,” she said.

Her reaction to winning the state Hall of Fame award was honor and humility. Rather than accept much praise, she preferred to acknowledge the Wilson County team.

That same team honored her at the department’s year-end cookout. The district’s board chair Joe Padilla also presented her with the board’s Golden Legacy Award.

“We send our biggest and best congrats to WCS bus driver Mrs. Frances Theiring for being inducted into the Tennessee Association of Pupil Transportation’s (TAPT) Bus Driver Hall of Fame!” the district wrote on Facebook. “She’s a wonderful lady, and we wish her the absolute best, and celebrate with her on receiving this amazing honor!”

The only other driver from Wilson County in the TAPT Hall of Fame is the late David Wright, who was inducted in 2017.

A Million Safe Miles and a Trusted Reputation

According to Local 3 News, Green, who drove for over 50 years, established a reputation for reliability, safety, and a friendly demeanor that made him a beloved figure among students. Known affectionately as “Mr. Fuzzy,” he retired last year.

Hamilton County’s director of transportation, Brandon Allen, told the local news that Green was never late, always maintained a clean bus, and traveled over a million miles without any accidents.

Honoring a Lifetime Behind the Wheel

The TAPT Hall of Fame award honors exceptional drivers who have gone the extra mile for their community. Their dedication to safety, leadership on the road, and commitment to excellence have left a lasting impact on the association and their community.

The Hall of Fame ceremony was hosted by TAPT at its annual meeting in Pigeon Forge.