A Texas special education school bus driver, whose career has centered on supporting students, was recognized with a new national award that celebrates excellence in school transportation.

School bus routing software provider BusRight announced June 12 that Lawson Crook, a special education bus driver for Sulphur Springs Independent School District in Texas, was selected as the recipient of its inaugural Behind the Wheel Award. The company said Crook was chosen from 322 nominations submitted by transportation leaders nationwide. Crook was selected from among 13 finalists.

The award, launched on National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in April, recognizes school bus drivers who make a lasting impact on the students and communities they serve while advancing BusRight’s mission of supporting safe, reliable and efficient student transportation.

“I was shocked to learn that I had been selected as the winner,” Crook told School Transportation News. “I was just as shocked to find out that I was even selected as a candidate.”

BusRight co-founder and CEO Keith Corso said the nominations highlighted the critical role drivers play in students’ daily lives.

“School bus drivers play a deeply meaningful role in the lives of every student they serve, helping ensure safe, consistent, daily transportation and acting as trusted members of the school community,” Corso said in a statement. “… Lawson stood out this year for exemplifying the award and demonstrating the devotion and care BusRight is immensely proud to recognize.”

Crook spent 26 years as an educator and coach before retiring, later working in behavior intervention with students who had learning and behavioral challenges. When he transitioned into student transportation, he specifically requested a special education route.

“These students require a calm and caring approach,” Crook said. “After retirement, I knew I would continue to drive for the district, and I requested the special needs bus because these students continued to hold a spot in my heart.”

Although he no longer works inside the classroom, Crook said he still sees himself as playing an important role in students’ school days. “I may not be in the building with them, but I would continue to be the first point of contact to help ensure their day was off to a good start,” he said.

His route includes picking up students at their front doors, allowing him to build relationships with both children and their families.

“One of the things I enjoy most is building relationships with the students and their families,” Crook said. “I love starting the day with a smile or a fist bump from the kids, and those small moments make a big difference. At the end of the day, it’s all about the students and helping them have a positive start to their day.”

Crook said trust, consistency, and respect have remained guiding principles throughout his career. “I believe that if you build a relationship with a child and earn their trust, the behavior and respect will follow,” he said. “Consistency is important because students need to know that you’re someone they can count on every day.”

Among the many moments that have stayed with him, Crook recalled a nonverbal student who pats him on the shoulder and smiles while exiting the bus each afternoon. “I learned that is his way of saying ‘thank you and goodbye,’” Crook said. “Those things mean and say more to me than anything.”

Dan Froneberger, transportation director for Sulphur Springs ISD, said Crook’s decades as an educator continue to shape his approach behind the wheel.

“He approaches every route with the same patience, care and sense of responsibility that characterized his many years as an educator, always prioritizing student safety and treating every child and staff member with respect, consideration and kindness,” Froneberger said in a statement.

As part of the award, Sulphur Springs ISD will receive a donation of up to 300 Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 tablets to support its special education and connection programs, which help graduates continue developing life and vocational skills through hands-on learning experiences at home and on the farm. Crook also will receive a $500 gift package.

Crook said he hopes other school bus drivers remember the influence they have on students every day.

“We’re often the first people students see from a school standpoint each morning, and we have an opportunity to start their day in a positive way,” he said. “You have to love what you do and remember that it’s about the kids, not about yourself.”

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A retired school bus is serving up more than burgers and baked potatoes for Cleveland high school students. It has become a food truck classroom, where students gain hands-on culinary and customer service experience while earning a paycheck.

The Executive Grille on the Go, operated by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), is the city’s only student-run food truck. Staffed by students enrolled in the district’s culinary arts program, the retrofitted school bus allows aspiring chefs to apply classroom lessons in a real-world business setting before entering the workforce.

Chef Michael Szalkowski, a culinary arts instructor with CMSD, said the program has gradually built a following throughout the community, though many residents are still surprised to learn it exists.

“We get so many people from around the community that now know about us, but still say you must be the best kept secret in Cleveland because we didn’t know your program existed,” Szalkowski said via local news.

Szalkowski said the food truck is designed to teach more than cooking techniques. “No matter what you decide to do in life, you gotta know how to interact with people, find your voice and know how to treat them,” he told reporters. “The kids will come to us because they love to bake or cook, and then they get thrown into the front of the house and they have to take a table order, which gets them over a lot of their anxiety and nervousness.”

Students are responsible for nearly every aspect of the operation. They greet customers, take orders, prepare meals and package desserts, giving them experience in both the kitchen and the front of the house.

Students Not Only Learn to Cook But How to Run a Business

The menu features American favorites, including smash burgers, chicken wings and loaded baked potatoes. Customers can also purchase sorbet and an assortment of cookies baked and packaged by students.

The experience mirrors the fast-paced environment students may encounter in restaurants or other customer-facing careers, helping them build confidence, communication skills and professionalism while working alongside instructors.

Students are compensated through Youth Opportunities Unlimited, a Cleveland-based nonprofit workforce development organization that provides paid employment experiences for young people. The partnership allows participants to earn wages while developing practical job skills that can be applied beyond the culinary industry.

District officials say the program demonstrates how career and technical education can extend beyond the classroom by immersing students in authentic workplace experiences. The converted school bus also serves as a visible reminder of how retired transportation equipment can be repurposed to support student learning in innovative ways.

Despite the Executive Grille on the Go going on summer break, additional information, including the truck’s schedule and locations, is available through the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s culinary arts program.

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DENVER, Colo. — EverDriven, the nation’s leader in Alternative Student Transportation, today announced a strategic partnership with Pathwise, a cloud-based K–12 operations platform whose EZRouting software powers student transportation for districts nationwide. The partnership brings EverDriven’s Consolidated Routing Services, which includes both yellow school bus and alternative student transportation, together with Pathwise EZRouting software for a general education routing solution that delivers expertise, efficiency and ease of use to school districts nationwide.

“Today’s transportation leaders know that better outcomes require more than the right software. They require the right expertise,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “Transportation directors trust us for alternative student transportation and EverDriven’s Consolidated Routing Services now brings that same expertise to the yellow school bus. It’s a natural pairing to integrate this service with Pathwise EZRouting software for a seamless end-to-end general education routing experience.”

By combining Pathwise’s AI-powered optimization with EverDriven’s deep expertise, built over years leading alternative student transportation and now extended to yellow school bus routing through Consolidated Routing Services — districts get routes that cost less to operate, run reliably in the field, and reflect a deep understanding of which solutions work for which students.

“Districts have trusted EZRouting to run their general education transportation for years, and this partnership makes that investment even more powerful,” said Nate Brogan, CEO at Pathwise. “Combining our AI-driven routing technology with EverDriven’s hands-on expertise gives transportation teams the best of both: smart software and seasoned guidance, working together for the students they serve.”

For transportation directors balancing competing demands on tight budgets, the payoff is clear.

Pathwise EZRouting continues to manage route planning, dispatch, GPS, field trips, and caregiver communications across the fleet, while EverDriven’s Consolidated Routing Services ensures every route is built for efficiency, safety, and scale. The result is a smarter, more integrated, and cost-effective operation with fewer moving parts to oversee.

What Districts Gain
Complete coverage. Expert general education routing powered by Pathwise EZRouting and managed by EverDriven’s Consolidated Routing Services, through one expert partner.
Expertise applied to existing tools. EverDriven’s Consolidated Routing Services layered onto the AI-powered routing platform districts already run.
Fewer vendors to manage. Consolidated transportation oversight without changing day-to-day workflows.

This marks the first in a planned series of routing software partnerships that will expand EverDriven’s ability to serve districts across their full transportation picture. To learn more, visit https://www.everdriven.com/technology/consolidated-routing-services/

About EverDrivenAbout EverDriven
EverDriven delivers modern student-centered transportation that’s safe, consistent, and built for those who need it most. EverDriven specializes in routing and transporting students across all ranges of needs, from everyday support to the most complex circumstances, including students with disabilities, students experiencing housing instability, and other high-need populations. Serving more than 800 districts across 37 states, the company completed over 2 million successful trips last year. EverDriven’s deeply human, fully compliant, and AI-powered approach helps districts get students on the road in hours, not days, while maintaining consistent, high-trust rides that complement traditional yellow bus fleets. For more information, visit everdriven.com.

About Pathwise
Pathwise is an operations technology company that helps schools streamline complex processes and reduce administrative burdens so they can prioritize student success. Founded and headquartered in Lynnwood, WA, the company supports more than 3,000+ school districts and charter organizations, as well as more than 25 state departments of education, with expertise-driven tools across transportation, governance and program management. For more information, visit pathwisek12.com.

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An Anacortes, Washington, school bus driver and middle school science teacher were named recipients of the school district’s 2026 Champions in Education Award, earning $5,000 grants in recognition of their contributions to students and school communities.

Anacortes School District north of Seattle announced that school bus driver Gail LeBoutillier and middle school science teacher Theresa McCartney were selected as this year’s award recipients through a partnership between the district and Barrett Financial.

Now in its second year, the Champions in Education Award recognizes employees who demonstrate excellence in serving students and supporting schools. The program provides two annual grants of $5,000, one to a certificated staff member and one to a classified or non-represented employee.

LeBoutillier, who has worked as a school bus driver in the district since 2018, was named the Classified/Non-Represented Staff Employee of the Year.

School Bus Driver & Teacher Are Champions in Education

According to Anacortes School District, LeBoutillier was recognized for her commitment to student well-being, communication with families and efforts to create a safe and welcoming environment for students during their daily transportation to and from school.

District officials said her individualized support for students and proactive communication help ensure a positive transportation experience.

“Gail LeBoutillier is recognized for her exceptional care, communication, and commitment to student well-being,” the district said in a news release announcing the award.

McCartney, who was named the Certificated Staff Employee of the Year, was recognized for her work in science education and student engagement.

The district said McCartney creates inclusive, student-centered learning experiences that emphasize accessibility, hands-on instruction, and high expectations for students. Officials also cited her leadership beyond the classroom, including mentoring staff, supporting curriculum development and participating in district initiatives.

Recipients of the Champions in Education Award are selected based on several criteria, including impact on students, commitment to equity and inclusion, innovation, collaboration and professional growth.

District officials said the award is intended to recognize employees who go above and beyond their regular responsibilities to strengthen school communities and support student success.

The 2026 award cycle drew significant participation from district employees. According to the district, 90 staff members were nominated for the honor, and 34 submitted proposals outlining how they would use the grant funding to benefit students.

LeBoutillier plans to use her grant to purchase sensory items, art materials and positive behavior support for students who ride district buses. McCartney plans to invest in hands-on science materials, classroom engagement tools and student enrichment opportunities, including supplies for Anacortes Middle School’s Fun Interest Groups program.

The district said the annual award reflects its ongoing commitment to recognizing employees whose work has a meaningful impact on students, families and schools throughout the community.

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