June 2024
TAA Membership-
Happy summer to everyone! I hope you wrapped up your 2023-2024 school year with much to celebrate. It seems to me that each school year passes a little more quickly than the last with more to do in preparation for the next every time!
That said, my thanks for your continued commitment in placing our TAA Summer Conference at the top of your priority list. What a perfect reset, and this year, your opportunity to equip your team with tools for this trade in ALL areas. Our hope and goal as we planned the content and events was that each of you obtain tools and resources in all areas of student transportation to take back to your teams, your districts, and your daily practices for the best success. We wish to equip you with some of the simple but effective tools that you may not have, as well as more involved processes and protocols for the bigger jobs that you may face.
We hope to provide a confidence in the best ways to expect the unexpected! To fill those tool kits to the top with so many new and necessary things for your day to day efforts.
Most of all to gather , collaborate, and learn from each other in preparation for another school year which is right around the corner. There will be something for everyone and lots of fun and engagement mixed in.
Thank you for spending a small part of your summer with us and for your ongoing support of Transportation Administrators of Arizona. Remember if you are looking to pursue a position in the organization opportunities in Regions 2, 4, 6 as well as President Elect offices will be voted on.
Shannon Weber, President
Mashayla Kleinman, President Elect
Mike Ajemann, Past President
Happy Spring Transportation,
I trust each of you are well into the groove of the 4th quarter and are looking to the finish line of 2023-2024. I hope the last break of the school year offered rest, rejuvenation, and reflection for each of you and your teams.
The TAA 2024 Summer Conference is just two months away and we can’t wait to see you! This year we hope to fill your transportation tool box with any missing pieces. We aspire to leave you fully equipped for all that can come our way.
If everyone learns just one new thing of value and takes it back to their closest student transportation circle imagine the impact on student transportation and Arizona students!
The conference registration is open and a tentative agenda is available on the website at https://taa-online.org/conference.
The TAA board is working hard to ensure your conference experience is a positive one. We are excited to share the use of a new event application that will offer all attendees access to the conference agenda, and real time updates or changes leading up to, and during the conference. You will also have notifications of any special event details, and instructions throughout the week. Watch for the link to the app in the coming few weeks or click the EVENT button on the conference page of the website to see the agenda, and presenter list!
Last, remember to keep an eye out for the annual TAA Conference scholarship application and criteria for consideration.
My hope is that you are as excited as we are to come together with colleagues to collaborate, celebrate, and collect information valuable and critical for feeling equipped for success in the new year.
TAA Presidency
Shannon Weber
Mashayla Kleinmann
Mike Ajeman
January 16, 2024
TAA Membership,
We made it to the halfway point of 2023-2024! I hope each of you has had the opportunity to reset and rejuvenate for the second half of the year. I also encourage you to celebrate the successes of the first half. It has been said that the second half of things(games, events, movies, races) are often where we reveal skills, polish processes, and rise up to get to the finish with quality and purpose. I wish you a second half filled with things to milestone and celebrate.
Many of you are approaching your 100th day of school and working to collect and finalize data for your data for submission to the state. Some of us have a trusted process, and some of us are either new to this step or are still working to find what works best. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your TAA board members should you have questions. We are happy to support and guide wherever we can.
Regional meetings have been underway with collective content from your region and our educations partners at The Trust. Everything from regional day to day challenges and hot topics, to the ongoing findings with use of the new AZ Student Transportation DPS Portal and all of its steps. Please look forward to meeting dates, RSVP the attendance for your team members, and respect the time and resources contributed to the preparation of the meeting by being committed to attend. I promise your participants will come away with something valuable for your transportation team and daily operations. Even if its refresher its important. As always, if you have items you would like to see covered please let your region representative know. We are here to serve you.
The 2024 Summer Conference planning is underway! We look forward to bringing you a packed agenda filled with tools for your use in all areas of your operation. Early bird registration, as well as the agenda format will be available to you on or before February 1, 2024. Planning decisions are inclusive of all feedback from last year’s survey results.
Please check the website at TAA-online.org as well as follow on social media to see the upcoming regional meetings as well as conference details.
As you kick off your second half, rally your teams and refocus your energy on all things school bus safety, students, and staff. Remember to care for your departments in all areas. No one cares what we know unless they know that we care.
Happy Second Half,
TAA Presidency
Mike Ajeman, Past President
Shannon Weber, President
Mashayla Kleinman, President Elect
Oct 23, 2023
TAA Members,
Despite the triple digits, fall has arrived. Most of you are back in school from fall break, and have hit the ground running. Our mornings are a little darker, and reminders for all school bus riders related to safety are being shared. Timely for sure as last week we celebrated National School Bus Safety Week “Rolling Safely to our Destination”. It is always a perfect time to share safety reminders with your community.
The TAA Board has scheduled the region meetings for the first semester and many are right around the corner. Please visit the TAA website at taa-online.org to confirm your region meeting date and location. With contributions from our educational partners at The Trust and input from your region representatives we have prepared relevant state level and region level content that will keep you informed and equipped to navigate through the ever changing requirements and expectations with some excellent tips and tricks thrown in.
The TAA Board will be meeting in early November to continue planning for our 2024 summer conference. Please be on the lookout for information regarding the planning efforts, early bird registration, content consideration, and what you can expect for the event. Contact information for board members is available on our website and we encourage you to reach out with any questions, concerns, or suggestions that you may have. Remember, it is your feedback that best helps us to build the experience for you.
As you continue your efforts into Q2 I wish you success with your most challenging obstacles, and a sense of humor along the way,
Happy Fall,
TAA Presidency
Shannon Weber, Mashayla Kleinman, Mike Ajeman
Transportation Administrators of Arizona!
It is hard to believe that just four weeks ago we were all together in Flagstaff at the 2023 TAA Conference. I hope each that attended took something valuable back to your districts to support deeper learning, better planning, and safety conscious results.
For the majority of us school begins this week! Some started last week, and a few will follow in early August. I don’t know about you but for me, the first days, weeks of school are always filled with the best energy! Energy to succeed, energy to engage with staff, community, and students, and energy to adapt and adjust to challenges. We believe the energy comes on the heels of rest, and brings an optimism for solutions. In order to keep your energy up you have to balance with rest and resources.
As you start your school year remember to use your valuable resources. Rely on each other, share duties and tasks around your department. Not only will this lighten the load for everyone, it will build trust and empower your team. Anyone who knows this work knows the first days can be endless. Remember that tomorrow is another opportunity to finish the list. Juggling priorities to maintain rest is critical to positivity and good decisions.
No matter your start of school approach, or kick off traditions we know each of you will offer refreshed and valuable learning, necessary tips and tricks, and support to your teams as you set the pace for your year. Best of luck to each and every one of you. Don’t forget to have a little fun!
TAA recently distributed a brief satisfaction/feedback survey for your review evaluating the 2023 Conference. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and feedback.
Planning for not only our 2024 conference but for our region meetings for the 2023-2024 school year will begin before you know it. We will also be opening interest for any educational partners to join our efforts in support of Arizona student transportation and ongoing learning. This is a 2 year commitment and the details of the role can be found in our TAA by-laws@taa-online.org.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your TAA Board with any and all industry related questions. We are happy to help in any way we can.
As you start your school year with the heaviness of hot days, compliance requirements, and ever changing guidelines keep your energy up, remain solutions oriented and optimistic as you and your teams positively impact kids and community every day.
Celebrate the start
TAA Presidency
Shannon Weber
Mike Ajemann
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