LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Deanna Spikes was nominated by her colleague, Dori Grebas.

Ms. Spikes has worked for Special School District for over 11 years as a school bus driver. In those years, she has shown that she is more than a typical school bus driver. She has the genuine capacity to care for her students in more than merely a professional way. She sees their needs beyond the 'bus' and has been an active advocate for them, providing much needed supplies, including school supplies and winter-weather gear. Ms. Spikes remembers each of her students' birthdays and makes their special day fun and memorable. Parents of her students over the years have commented about her, have written thank you notes and given gifts to show their appreciation, but Ms. Spikes continues to go above and beyond because, as she says , "It's the right thing to do." 

Professionally, Ms. Spikes is always on time, rarely takes time off, and asks for extra duties. She has offered to help with scheduling and route planning, and when she sees something that needs fixing, she offers suggestions that will not only serve the SSD students well, but will save SSD time, money and man-power.

Ms. Spikes is a Life Changer because she touches the lives of people who sometimes do not have a voice. The students she has in her care are always safe and loved.