Local news delivered daily to your email inbox. Subscribe for FREE to the rdnewsNOW newsletter.
(Photo: Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools)
Ace behind the wheel

Brenda Dennis is Alberta’s School Bus Driver of the Year

Feb 11, 2020 | 11:10 AM

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) would like to congratulate Brenda Dennis, who has won the School Bus Driver of the Year Award through the Student Transportation Association of Alberta (STAA).

This award celebrates the contributions that school bus drivers make every school day transporting Alberta’s students to and from school. The award is based on the full-time driver’s daily duties, responsibilities and public interactions of transporting school children on a daily basis.

“Brenda has always treated my boys as part of her family. Keeping them in line, when their actions require it, but also making sure they feel welcome on her bus and that the ride to school and home feels the same as if it were in one of our vehicles. She goes out of her way to come to watch the boys play hockey. She supports our children, laughs with them and welcomes them every morning,” said Sandra Congdon, parent.

Dennis has been driving the school bus for over 32 years and has been working with RDCRS since 2005. In that time, she has been involved in many different roles including bus driver, parts person, service writer, first aid instructor, school bus driver improvement program, driver trainer, dispatcher, receptionist and a routing specialist.

“Brenda works very hard and her commitment to her families and student safety is exemplary. She is always available to her peers for assistance in and out of formal training,” said Transportation Manager, Shevon Medicraft at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

“From the start, Brenda had a very noticeable presence. She makes work a pleasant place with her sense of humour and boisterous attitude,” said Tanus Smith, Transportation administration assistant at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

For more information about the STAA, please visit https://www.staa.ab.ca/