so that transportation staff could implement it immedi- ately. Just sitting in these sessions, I began brainstorming ways to continue to improve my department and began analyzing situations differently. These opportunities are what help us all continue to grow and improve so we can do what is best for the children we serve.” Iowa’s Johnson, a self-described “huge networker,” said he especially appreciated the opportunity to hear professionals from other states share their expertise and experiences. He also landed Rosen to speak at the upcoming IAPT annual meeting. “Her session was one of the best ones I sat through at any conference lately,” Johnson said. “Her approach and how she works with it really opened up people’s eyes to how they can go back to their district and get the information they need.” He also praised the keynote presentation of Betsey
Helfrich, a special education attorney who has success- fully represented school districts against a variety of claims in state and federal courts as well as in adminis- trative and special education due process hearings. Helfrich offered guidance to avoid legal hazards that can
come with transporting students with disabilities, includ- ing training on the difference between behavior and the manifestion of a student’s disability. Katrina Morris, transportation director with the West
Shore Educational Service District and executive director of the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation, said she appreciated messaging on individual student behavior. “I learned again that behavior is a way to commu-
nicate, and each student is different, almost like each speaks a different language. We need to take the time and build relationships with the students and learn their language,” Morris said. That process includes the recognition that “what
works today may not work tomorrow,” and drivers, aides and others on the transportation team should make sure to “take the opportunity to see what else you can do to make the student successful.” She added, “We need to stop looking at a student’s
disability and look for their ability to be safe on the school bus. When collecting data on behaviors, remember to look for what happened before the behavior, including the day of the week, time of the day, and what happened after the behavior. All these things can help you to create a plan.” Joe Boyles, a driver and trainer with the Montana
Association for Pupil Transportation, said he learned the most new information during a bus evacuation workshop. “When we did the search for students in the bus full of smoke, I did not realize how low to the floor I needed to crawl. I had to keep telling myself to stay calm
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