To foster increased community among conference attendees, one of the pillars of STN EXPO, the School Transportation News team is launching a new initiative focused on peer-to-peer mentoring.
For the 2026 conferences, registered attendees have the option to connect with other student transportation professionals through a networking program hosted by STN. The program is intended to give participants exclusive opportunities to learn from each other, share insights and build lasting relationships.
When registering for STN EXPO East, STN EXPO West and the TSD Conference, attendees can select areas of interest such as fleet management, leadership/professional growth, operations and safety, specialty areas, and technology and innovation. STN will group participants based on years of experience in the industry, school district size, fleet makeup, and areas of interest selected.
As part of the Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program, participants are expected to participate in three touch-point events: The welcome reception and peer-to-peer meet up, a mentorship roundtable during the week of the conference, and a debriefing session held either at the conference conclusion or virtually.
Space in the program is limited, and participation is not guaranteed. To learn more about the program, contact Kristine Hannon. Registration for STN EXPO East is currently open, and the conference is held March 26-31 in Charlotte-Concord, North Carolina.
David Weber, business development manager for School-Radio, analyzes new bus radio and communication technology solutions that can optimize district operations.
Regional Sales Manager James Holtz gives us a glimpse of the innovative new electric school bus Blade Battery from RIDE.
Amidst rapid developments in the clean fuel school bus market, Francisco “Paco” Lagunas, general manager of the North American bus market for Cummins, and Richard Garvin, director of strategy and commercial business development, present answers from the energy leader.
Director of Transportation Teri Mapengo discusses operations, technology and fostering the kind of positive workplace culture that won Prosper Independent School District in Texas a Top Transportation Teams award at this week’s STN EXPO in Reno, Nevada.
Following the presentation of the 18th annual Peter J. Grandofo Memorial Award of Excellence to Katrina Morris of the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation, Jon Petz delivered a touching, magic-filled keynote address.
Green Bus Summit sessions and Bus Technology Summit labs and demonstrations continued for a second day. Breakout sessions covered topics such as KPIs, electrification, special needs, AI, the recent 17th National Conress on School Transportation, and fuel and energy. A lunchtime panel gathered the six winners of Transfinder’s 2025 Top Transportation Teams award to share their advice.
In the evening, attendees and vendors enjoyed dinner, drinks and networking on the Trade Show floor, with entertainment from roving magic acts.
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Katrina Morris, the executive director of the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation, is the 18th recipient of the Peter J. Gandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence. She was presented with the award Monday, July 14 during STN EXPO Reno 2025. (Photo by Vincent Rios Creative.)
Katrina Morris, the executive director of the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation, is the 18th recipient of the Peter J. Gandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence. She was presented with the award Monday, July 14 during STN EXPO Reno 2025. (Photo by Vincent Rios Creative.)
RENO, Nev. — The second day at STN EXPO West saw the return of the four-and-a-half-hour seminar “So, You Want to be a Transportation Supervisor?”, presented by transportation professionals and industry veterans Alexandra Robinson, Rosalyn Vann-Jackson, Timothy Purvis and Pamela McDonald.
The seminar began Saturday with introductions from the attendees, during which they shared how many years they have worked in transportation and the variety of roles they have held within the industry. This year, the most experienced sat in the room, representing a total of 1,400 years in the industry, across 72 participants.
“It’s about passion, purpose and connection,” said Vann-Jackson, chief support services officer for Broken Arrow Public Schools in Oklahoma, as she highlighted the importance of building relationships within teams.
Attendees at the session were encouraged to build a vision and lead with relationships. One suggestion provided by Vann-Jackson was to get to know employees. “People don’t want to be pulled along; they want to follow. You have to be a leader, and you achieve this by building relationships,” said Vann-Jackson.
She emphasized that one small change can make a big difference. Instead of calling employees into the office, meet them where they are, such as in the break room. Informal settings create comfort and encourage honest conversations. Asking about their lives, and what makes them happy. What do they enjoy outside of work? These types of conversations can create a sense of trust and loyalty.
On the other hand, McDonald, a retired transportation director for Orange Unified School District in Southern California with over 34 years of experience, addressed the importance of promoting and building relationships.
McDonald emphasizes that relationship building shouldn’t stop at the bus yard but rather expand to build connections across other district departments, visiting other school sites, or introducing oneself to board members. Whether it’s recognizing the school nurses on Nurses’ Day with a proclamation or sending retirement or birthday cards, small gestures can go a long way in strengthening interdepartmental relationships.
Nashawn Craig (blue shirt), assistant director of transportation for Taylor Schools in Michigan participating in the seminar.
Nashawn Craig, assistant director of transportation for Taylor Schools in Michigan, started driving a school bus five years ago when he was 19. He slowly moved up from there, becoming a dispatcher and now an assistant director. However, he said, he was very close to his school bus driver when he was younger.
“I’ve always just had a love of school buses,” he shared with STN during the session. “It’s just been a thing for me. And my bus drivers when I was younger, they cared about me more than anybody. And that kind of stuck with me. So, I wanted to be that person for other people within the industry.”
Craig, a first-time STN attendee, said he attended the session to hear more about others’ stories, what people have done in similar situations and recommendations they have.
“I’ve only been the assistant director since July 1, so I’m looking to see what other people have gone through, hear their stories, what resources that they use,” he shared. “So that way, when I eventually move up into a director position, that I have things and people to talk to and relate to and resources.”
During the seminar, Purvis, owner and principal consultant for Pupil Transportation Information, dove into the transformative role of data-driven decision making, encouraging district leaders to leverage data as a strategic asset rather than just a compliance measure.
Purvis emphasized that key performance indicators (KPIs), which are the backbone of data-driven management, are essential tools that public and private sectors alike are embracing to boost efficiency.
The seminar concluded with former executive director of transportation in New York City and in San Diego, California, and current industry consultant Alex Robinson addressing a fundamental question: What does a healthy organization feel like?
“If you hesitate when asked whether a child is safe riding a particular school bus with a specific driver, then that driver shouldn’t be behind the wheel,” said Robinson. She challenged attendees to reflect on their own feelings about their workplaces.
Ultimately, Robinson emphasized that the strength of any organization lies in its people and their shared commitment to growth and excellence. Recognizing the symptoms of dysfunction, embracing hard truths, and fostering leadership development are all part of the journey toward building a healthier workplace.
Attendees from Sweetwater County School District Number One in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Three attendees from Sweetwater County School District #1 in Rock Springs, Wyoming, also attended the session, looking to absorb as much information as possible.
Josh Henderson has been in the district for six years, starting as a driver, transitioning to a trainer and CDL third-party tester, before becoming a route coordinator. He shared that last school year the district director resigned, and Henderson threw his name in the hat, along with another internal employee, who received the position. He said the class provided him with a lot of knowledge about what goes into being a director and what the future would hold in terms of that position.
He said he’s a people person and really connected with the stories relating to fostering department culture and engaging with staff. First-time attendee Amanda Vincent who started at Sweetwater County School District #1 as a school bus aide 19 years ago, then transitioned to a driver, then a dispatcher, and now she does over the road and in town field trips and specialize in specials transportation routes, shared that she came to the session to learn how to have that open communication between staff members.
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