STN EXPO West keynote speaker Christine Cashen tells attendees the importance of integrating humor to foster a more conducive environment for dialogue when communicating with others, as she illustrated with her banana phone.
Todd Livesay, the transportation director for Franklin
Township Community School Corporation, told STN that as soon as he heard Cashen’s words about the pow- er of positivity and the importance of communication he immediately decided he needed to share her advice throughout his department. “I made it a point to incorporate these principals into our daily interactions,” said Livesay. “I’ve emphasized to my team that if we can’t express something with- out harsh words, it’s better to pause and find a more constructive way to communicate. This approach has helped us maintain a supportive and respectful environ- ment, where challenges are addressed with empathy and understanding. By focusing on positive communication, we’ve strengthened our relationships and fostered a cul- ture where everyone feels valued and heard.” Livesay, whose district won the Top Transportation
Teams Award two years in a row, shared that the repeat recognition was incredibly rewarding. “Celebrating by giving all the credit to drivers, bus monitors, garage staff, trainers and student management team” he continued. “We added the Top Teams logo in to our email signa- tures, shared the news on social media and displayed the
flags at our building and at the district functions, which has been a great way to keep the pride and recognition alive throughout the year.” When asked what advice he would share with other
districts that may be struggling with culture in their de- partments, Livesay said leaders need to stay the course and remain steadfast in their commitment to cultivating a positive and inclusive culture. “Focus on what truly matters: Being available, listen- ing to your team, celebrating successes and investing in professional development,” he added. Part of promoting positive and professional develop-
ment within departments is establishing a media team through which good news and achievements can be spread and shared. During the July 16 STN EXPO session, “The Media
is on Line 1,” STN Editor in Chief Ryan Gray discussed the importance of having a communication team at a school district. He was joined by Greg Jackson, the di- rector of business development for School Bus Logistics and a former magazine Transportation Director of the Year recipient for his leadership at Jeffco Public Schools near Denver, Colorado, and Robert Leach, the director of
Continued on pg. 50 ➥
www.stnonline.com 49
PHOTO BY RUTH ASHMORE
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