GCPS names 2026 School Bus Monitor and Managers of the Year

     Jennie Jones, Tina Ileogben, Dorina Puckett, and Ronnie Alston have been named Gwinnett County Public Schools’ (GCPS) top transportation professionals for 2025–2026. Jones was selected as Special Education Bus Manager of the Year, while Ileogben was honored as Regular Education Bus Manager of the Year. GCPS also recognized Puckett as Bus Monitor of the Year and Alston as Fleet Technician of the Year. The awards were presented at the 28th Annual Bus Manager and Monitor of the Year banquet, where 49 transportation staff members were celebrated for their service to students and families.

     "Our bus managers, monitors, and technicians are the steady hands and caring hearts that support our students long before they reach the classroom,” says Transportation Support Manager Carla Hart. “This year’s honorees earned the respect of their colleagues and proved their expertise through a thoughtful and thorough selection process. Their dedication creates a safe, welcoming environment for every child they serve. They truly represent the best of our Team GCPS family.”

     Each year, GCPS shines a spotlight on the transportation professionals who keep students safe on the road. To earn this recognition, nominees must exemplify the leadership, commitment, and excellence valued across the district. The process begins with colleagues identifying individuals who consistently demonstrate these qualities within their transportation zones. From there, nominees showcase their skills—managers through performance-based testing and monitors through hands-on practical demonstrations. A committee of staff and community members then reviews the results and evaluates all 11 finalists before selecting the honorees.

 

Jennie Jones

2025-2026 Special Education School Bus Manager of the Year

     Jennie serves the Central Gwinnett and Collins Hill clusters with a heart prepared to lead students as their first interaction each and every day. For 15 years, Jennie has brought enthusiasm to her riders through imaginative communication, meaningful moments, and laughter. “It’s both enjoyable and meaningful to work with students, parents, and school staff,” she shares. “You build relationships. You become part of their daily routine, and that matters.” 

 

Tina Ileogben

2025-2026 Regular Education School Bus Manager of the Year

     For a little more than a decade, Tina Ileogben has been safely serving the students of the Central Gwinnett Cluster as a Bus Manager. While Ileogben has built impactful relationships with students over the years, she has also served as a Team Leader, supporting fellow drivers through her positivity, leadership, and experience. Ileogben has encountered frightening situations—dealing with wildlife on the road—where she handled herself with strength for her students and others.

 

Dorina Puckett

2025-2026 Special Education Bus Monitor of the Year

     Serving the Central Gwinnett and Collins Hill clusters, Dorina has 27 years of dedicated service in GCPS. Puckett’s monitoring approach stems from connection, consistency, and care. Puckett’s colleagues admire her for her calm demeanor and warm spirit. “I look forward to coming to work every day,” Puckett shares. “I can’t think of any other job that would be as fulfilling.” 

 

Ronnie Alston

2025 - 2026 Fleet Technician of the Year

     Ronnie Alston is a dedicated Fleet Mechanic, but for him, it is beyond a calling; it is a personal mission. Alston works on the same fleet that his children ride on in GCPS each and every day. On top of inspiring his own family and children, Alston has won the hearts of other students by engaging their curiosity in fleet mechanics.
(Pictured left to right: Joe Carolus, Ronnie Alston, and Roger Brank)