Modern Student Transportation Awards

Every student deserves a safe, reliable, and inclusive way to get to school. The Modern Student Transportation Awards, presented by EverDriven, celebrate school district leaders who are leading the way with forward-thinking solutions that improve how students get to school every day. 

The 2025 awards shine a light on those who use innovation, compassion, and technology to remove barriers to education and redefine what's possible in student transportation. 

Award Categories 

  • Safety & Reliability  
    Recognizing innovative practices that improve the safety and reliability of student transportation. 
  • Equity in Education Accessibility  
    Honoring flexible, scalable transportation solutions that support diverse student populations. 
  • Top Innovator  
    Celebrating visionary leadership and the use of cutting-edge technology (including AI) to modernize student transportation. 
  • Humanitarian  
    Highlighting the most powerful example of human care and kindness in action—where empathy and service redefine what it means to get students to school.
 

What Winners Receive 

  • $2,500 student scholarship (per district) toward collegiate education for McKinney-Vento students and/or students who receive special education services.
  • Full conference pass (including travel expenses) to attend TSD Conference, Nov. 6-11, 2025 in Frisco (Dallas), TX. 
  • Recognition at an in-person Modern Student Transportation Awards ceremony on November 6 in Dallas, TX . 
  • Media spotlight and recognition (in written and/or video format) to be promoted across digital channels via EverDriven and national/local press. 

Thanks to Our Judges

Kevin Gordon

Kevin Gordon

President

Capital Advisors Group, LLC

Glenna Wright-Gallo

Glenna Wright-Gallo

VP of Policy

Everway

Mitch Bowling

Mitch Bowling

CEO

EverDriven

Barbara Duffield

Barbara Duffield

Executive Director

SchoolHouse Connection

Review the Terms & Conditions to learn more.

Questions? Contact awards@everdriven.com

Modern Student Transportation Awards

Finalists have been announced! 

  • Nominations were open through September 1, 2025. 
  • Winners will be announced November 6, 2025. 

Meet the Finalists:

The district leaders below were selected for their outstanding contributions to student transportation related to the categories above.

    • Jameelah Davis, Program Coordinator – Orange County Public Schools, Orlando, FL
    • Kayla Denaco, Assistant Director of Transportation – Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, ME
    • Laura Hill, General Manager, Transportation Services -- Hillsborough County Transportation School Department – Hillsborough School District, Tampa, FL
    • Earl Kent III, Route Planning Manager – Denver Public Schools, Denver, CO
    • Lori Knochelmann, McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Coordinator – Covington Independent Public Schools, Covington, KY
    • Marla Lynn, Director of Transportation – Grandview School District, Grandview, MO
    • Sarah Nanny, Transportation Department Secretary – Escambia County School District, Pensacola, FL
    • Quanika Dukes-Spruill, Executive Director – Newark Public Schools, Newark, NJ
    • Jeremy Stowe, Director of Transportation – Buncombe County Schools, Asheville, NC
    • Pat Ward, Former Director of Maintenance and Transportation – Allen Park Public Schools, Allen Park, MI