Claflin awarded Special Needs Aide of the Year

KELLOGG — It takes an exceptional person to assist in transporting students with special needs. The responsibility falls not only on safely transporting the students to and from school but also on providing support and encouragement to those students with unique requirements.

The Idaho Association of Pupil Transportation (IAPT) awards those outstanding employees yearly at their summer conference in Boise.

The Special Needs Aide of The Year award went to Kellogg School District’s (KSD) own Tammy Claflin, who began working as a teacher aide in the school district and then moved her way to the transportation department as a bus aide in 2011. Claflin was nominated by John Bourque, the driver of the bus that Claflin assists on — as well as Lisa Backman, a school bus driver, and trainer for the district.

The special needs aide is the crucial link in the chain of transporting students, and it is as vital of a role as the bus driver they assist. Unfortunately, the special needs aides are sometimes forgotten and don’t often get the credit they deserve.

“She is always going the extra mile, and she is great with the kids,” said Bourque in his nomination form to the State Department of Education.

The students are part of Claflin’s favorite reason for working as a bus aide.

“My favorite part of being a bus aide is watching the children grow, and watching them mature and come out of their shells,” Claflin told the News-Press. “Some of them were so quiet, and now they show me something they made in school, an art project, or when they get an award for their good behavior.”

Humble, even with her new award, Claflin was ecstatic when she heard the news — not just about the award itself, but also the kind words from her co-workers.

“It is a great honor, and one I was not expecting, I am very thankful to the people who nominated me.”

“Tammy demonstrates a thorough knowledge of all aspects of special needs transportation,” Bourque said. “She has the ability and forethought to effectively respond to each student’s individual needs.”

Claflin explained that as a bus aide, she is one of the first people they see in the morning.

“I try to start their day on a positive note. That’s one of the things we are told at training. I feel like God has given me a love for all children.”

Her love for children is also why she was nominated for this award, with Bourque explaining that she has a great rapport with the students, the parents and her fellow school aides.

“Tammy is also an excellent teacher for the new aides,” he said. “She demonstrates complete knowledge for instruction and patience for optimum learning. She shows up each day with a smile, and a great attitude.”