Transportation Joint Agreement names Connie Martens top bus driver in Crystal Lake school districts

CRYSTAL LAKE – When Connie Martens began driving school buses in 1990, she felt like “the soccer mom” driving all the kids in the neighborhood to practice.

The familiar connection with the kids and families on her route is something Martens has preserved through more than 27 years of service, which is one of the many reasons why the Transportation Joint Agreement named her its Driver of the Year for the 2016-17 school year.

The TJA is owned and operated by Crystal Lake School District 47 and Community High School District 155. It buses about 12,000 students a day during the school year to four high schools, three middle schools, nine elementary schools and two parochial schools.

Martens, 60, was honored at the TJA’s third annual employee recognition event June 2 after earning the highest score based on criteria such as attendance, safety and training, vehicle cleanliness and dress code.

Martens narrowly edged out Robert Crane, a nine-year TJA employee. Crane’s score earned him a close second.

“I’ve always enjoyed the kids and my job,” Martens said. “When I started this job, I got to take my kids to work, and that was a plus. No day care. And then they get off when I get off, and I’m off when they’re off. Made vacations easy and life easy in the summer.”

Martens started her career driving larger buses. She now drives the special education bus and said she builds a rapport at the beginning of every year with new families to ensure the kids on her route are safe and comfortable.

“We started the program to recognize the drivers that go above the call of duty because so many already were,” said Penny Fleming, TJA’s director of transportation. “As time has gone on, it’s just grown into encouraging others to go the extra mile.”

Martens will get a designated parking spot for the 2017-18 school year and have a magnet noting her achievement placed on her bus.