The SBO Awards Program recognizes individuals, companies and organizations that have made significant contributions towards the student transportation industry in the following categories.
Driver Excellence Award — recognition of a school bus driver demonstrating exemplary performance and a commitment to excellence, particularly in the areas of driving, customer service and safety.
2026 Driver Excellence Recognition Award Winners
In an ongoing effort to recognize the exceptional efforts put forth by thousands of professional school bus drivers each and every day, SBO will once again acknowledge and appreciate an extraordinary school bus driver in Ontario who has demonstrated exemplary performance and a commitment to excellence, particularly in the areas of driving, customer service and safety.
Sandra Moore — First Student
With 28 years of experience, Sandra Moore has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to student safety, care and professionalism. In her role with First Student, Sandra serves as both a spare driver and safety trainer, sharing her knowledge and experience to support safe student transportation.
Sandra’s nomination highlighted her compassion when working with students, including an occasion when she helped comfort a distressed student with special needs by singing. Her ability to respond with patience and understanding reflects the personal care that can make a lasting difference in a student’s day.
Sandra’s dedication to both student well-being and driver safety makes her a deserving recipient of this year’s award.
Filomena Pereira — Sharp Bus Lines Limited
Celebrating 20 years of service, Filomena Pereira has made a meaningful contribution to student transportation through her commitment to safety, leadership and mentorship.
As a trainer and mentor with Sharp Bus Lines, Filomena shares her experience and knowledge with fellow drivers, helping support a culture of safety and professionalism within the industry. Her commitment to safety has also earned recognition from the Fleet Safety Council, where she was named Regional Safety Professional of the Year – Bus Chapter.
Filomena’s dedication extends beyond her daily responsibilities, demonstrating the important role experienced drivers play in supporting their colleagues and strengthening the student transportation community.
Theresa Sincich — Student Transportation of Canada
With an impressive 36 years of experience, Theresa Sincich has built a record of dedicated service to students and families through her work with Student Transportation of Canada.
Theresa’s nomination recognized her positive relationships with parents, her years of service on a wheelchair route and her collision-free driving record. These accomplishments reflect her consistent commitment to providing safe, reliable and compassionate transportation for the students in her care.
Throughout her career, Theresa has demonstrated the professionalism and dependability that families count on when entrusting their children to school bus transportation.
Her decades of service are a testament to the important difference a dedicated driver can make in the lives of students and the communities they serve.
Claire Belliveau — Southland Transportation
Claire Belliveau’s 20 years of experience with Southland Transportation demonstrate an exceptional commitment to ensuring students get to and from school safely.
Claire’s nomination highlighted her willingness to go the extra mile when additional route coverage was needed. During one school year, she travelled approximately 142 kilometres each way, twice daily, to help ensure a route was covered!
Her willingness to take on this significant commitment demonstrates the dedication, flexibility and reliability that are essential to keeping student transportation operating smoothly. Claire’s actions reflect a strong sense of responsibility to students, families and the wider school community.
Her commitment to going above and beyond makes her a deserving recipient of the 2026 Driver Excellence Recognition Award.
