In this Back-to-School edition of NSTA: The Bus Stop, this week Executive Director, Curt Macysyn welcomes two guests to the podcast - Martin Staples, CEO of Transportant, and Patrick Mulick, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Director of Student Engagement for the Auburn School District in Washington state. Together, they explore why student behavior has become such a pressing issue in 2025, and how transportation teams and educators can work proactively to prevent challenges before they arise. Patrick shares his approach of “knowing your audience” in the unique environment of a moving school bus, while Martin highlights practical, day-to-day strategies transportation staff can use to set a positive tone each morning. The trio have a conversation that touches on involving families in a constructive way, different behavior issues seen in the student transportation realm, and the real-world impact of early interventions. The episode wraps up on a personal note, as Martin and Patrick share the hobbies and passions that keep them balanced outside of their work.

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