Congratulations to our Transportation Employees of the Year!

The Cherokee County School District today congratulated the winners of the fourth annual Transportation Employee of the Year Awards, recognizing the best among its talented and dedicated team of school bus drivers.

The awards recognize an outstanding school bus driver from each Innovation Zone (high school and feeder middle and elementary schools) and one from CCSD’s team of Special Education drivers; from this group, one overall CCSD winner is selected.  Congratulations to our winners, thank you to our award sponsors, and thank you to our School Board for its continued investment in our transportation program!

This year’s overall winner is Wanda Fowler, a 17-year CCSD school bus driver for the Creekview Innovation Zone!  The Innovation Zone winners, in addition to Ms. Fowler, are: Cherokee North, Katrina Brannan; Cherokee South, Justin King; Etowah, Lynn Williams; River Ridge, Bert Fuss; Sequoyah, Amanda Wilhoit; Woodstock, Willine Tinsley; and Special Education, Sandra Biddy.  

From left, Transportation Executive Director Jim Georges, River Ridge Zone Winner Burt Fuss, Special Ed Winner Sandra Biddy, Creekview Zone Winner and District Winner Wanda Fowler, Sequoyah Zone Winner Amanda Wilhout, Cherokee North Zone Winner Katrina Brannen, Woodstock Zone Winner Willine Tinsley, Cherokee South Zone Winner Justin King, and Etowah Zone Winner Lynn Williams.

The honorees are selected by their fellow bus drivers and the Transportation department’s administration team.  Two winners are named for the Cherokee Innovation Zone, one North and one South, due to the area’s size. 

Ms. Fowler drives routes for Macedonia ES, Creekland MS, and Creekview HS.

“Ms. Fowler consistently demonstrates exceptional teamwork and an unwavering dedication for the safety and well-being of the students on her bus,” Transportation Executive Director Jim Georges said.  “Ms. Fowler is a leader among her peers and is always willing to assist her teammates with route coverage with optimism and a positive attitude.  Ms. Fowler’s commitment to excellence is inspiring.”

The winners were recognized today before their peers at the Transportation department’s annual back-to-school kick-off meeting and training session at Cherokee High School.  Credit Union of Georgia sponsored lunch for all those in attendance.

Thanks to the sponsorship of the Cherokee County Educational Foundation and Peach State Thomas Buses, Ms. Fowler received a $500 gift card, and the Zone and Special Education winners each received a $100 gift card.  All the winners additionally received a congratulatory banner and gift bag, which included gifts from Credit Union of Georgia, Cobb EMC, Smile Doctors, and Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q, and gift cards from Buffalo’s Café, Canyon’s/Gameday, Chick-fil-A, Cherokee County, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt at Riverstone, Mission: Escape, and Nothing Bundt Cakes Woodstock.  

The recognition program is in addition to CCSD’s Support Staff Employees of the Year program, which all non-educators, including bus drivers, are eligible to win for their school or central office division.  Mr. Georges started the Transportation awards program to give additional recognition to this valued group of employees.

#CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Special Education bus driver Sandra Biddy celebrates with her co-workers as she is announced as the Employee of the Year for special ed bus drivers and attendants. Ms. Biddy is currently the longest serving CCSD transportation employee, with 44 years of service!