Shirley Brinkman is the Avon Community School Corporation ’24 Support Staff of the Year. She joins Dr. Wyndham on this episode of the Orioles In-The-Know podcast, along with Director of Transportation Keith Haston, to celebrate this honor. Shirley talks about her special connections with students and her passion to ensure the safety of thousands of Avon students as they travel to and from school each day. Brinkman is a strong believer in the positive impact bus drivers have — not only their students, but also the community — and she strives to make her bus feel like home. Listen in to hear her talk about what it’s like to transport students each day. Stick around to learn how the Transportation team literally goes the extra mile to help students experiencing homelessness and other difficult circumstances. Shirley and the team are driven to help all students belong, learn, and grow. While driving a bus packed with kids may be intimating to some, it is a great way to help the community, make connections, and even earn benefits. Avon Transportation is experiencing a bus driver shortage, but you can help! You can apply online to help be a part of something greater in the community. The application link is in the episode notes. Congratulations, Shirley. Thank you for all you do each day to serve Avon students!