Waterford School Bus Driver Receives Employer's Highest Safety Award

WATERFORD, CT - Student Transportation Inc. (STI), the industry’s safest independent provider of school transportation services in North America, inducted local school bus driver Patricia Kovalik into its Safety “Wall of Fame” during a recent awards ceremony.

The award is considered by the company to be its highest and most prestigious honor, according to a release.

“Patti has a terrific work ethic,” Waterford Terminal Manager Barbara Brigham said in a release. “She knows every single student she transports and she gets them home safely every day. Many of Patti’s students are Kindergarten and Pre-K. She always works with them, reminding them how to sit and behave on a bus. Even if she has to remind them all year, she knows that one day down the road, they will remember on their own because of her.”

Kovalik is a veteran bus driver with more than 17 years of experience in the school transportation industry. She was chosen for the award based on her impeccable record and proactive approach to safety within the terminal.

She serves as a mentor to new drivers, actively participates in the terminal’s safety meetings each month, and recently received perfect evaluation scores from the State of Connecticut. Kovalik is also involved with her community as a member of the American Legion, and organizes parades and fundraising activities each year for the local Hospice and the Legion Post.

“I never dreamed I would be honored this way for doing something I love to do every day,” Kovalik said in a release. “I love the children, the schools, and the ‘bus family’ I work with, and could not imagine doing anything different. I know I represent a lot of drivers who feel the same way here in Waterford and throughout the company.”

The Safety “Wall of Fame” ceremony took place on Nov. 29, with events that included an awards banquet with STI Senior Leadership and a day trip to South Carolina.

Image courtesy of Doug Coupe.