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Sam Graham, a school bus driver in Taylor County, reacts to a surprise ceremony where he was named a recipient of the 2024-2025 Kentucky Education Support Staff Professional (KESSP) Award. Photo by Joe Ragusa, Kentucky Department of Education, Jan. 17, 2025
(CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY) – Sam Graham has dedicated more than six decades of his life to the children of Taylor County Schools.
Graham, a bus driver for the district, was first hired by Taylor County in January of 1964 and has worked for the district in some capacity ever since. Most of his career has been spent in the district’s transportation department, with roles ranging from driver to transportation director. Currently, Graham runs an afternoon bus route and subs for the morning route whenever he is needed.
“To be a diligent, loyal employee of one school system for more than 60 years is a remarkable achievement,” said Taylor County Schools Superintendent Charles Higdon Jr. “Most people Sam’s age retired long ago, but he shows up daily and performs his duties to the highest level of excellence.”
Graham said he always strived to empathize with the children on his buses over the years.
“When those children come out of the house in the morning, we don’t know what they’ve seen behind closed doors,” he said. “So give them a smile, say hello to them, and if they have a problem, listen to them.”
Graham has also been married for the past 60 years, living a life dedicated to his family and community. He works with his church as a Sunday School superintendent, hosts multiple family reunions each year, and is an involved father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
“My dad, I owe a lot to him, as well as my family and my wife of 60 years,” Graham said. “I have so many people to thank and to be grateful for … and I owe my success to my savior, God, who has provided with the knowledge, the strength and whatever else it takes to do this job.”
On Jan. 17, Graham was honored with the 2024-2025 Kentucky Education Support Staff Professional (KESSP) Award.
The KESSP award was created in 2020 by Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman to recognize more than 46,000 classified school employees in Kentucky. Classified school employees serve in vital and often overlooked roles, from driving students to school to preparing their meals to working with partner agencies to ensure students’ vital needs are met.
“The contributions of our classified employees to every school district in the Commonwealth are immeasurable,” Coleman said. “They dedicate their lives to their students. I am honored to have helped establish this award with Gov. Beshear to show our appreciation.”
When Graham was young, his mother passed away and he dropped out of school to help his father with the family farm; work he continues to this day. Once he gained some financial stability as an adult, he earned his GED.
Taylor County Superintendent Charles Higdon Jr., Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, Sam Graham and Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher pose with the 2024-2025 Kentucky Education Support Staff Professional (KESSP) Award. Photo by Joe Ragusa, Kentucky Department of Education, Jan. 17, 2025
Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher noted how many Taylor County students, past and present, shared stories with the award nominators about how important he was as a role model.
“Having someone as dedicated to the students of their community as Sam is to Taylor County is a major asset,” Fletcher said. “School bus drivers play a critical role in our education system, often serving as the first and last point of contact for many students each day. As a person who rode the school bus for 13 years as a student – and spent additional years as a field trip chaperone and coach – I can personally attest to the meaningful influence of those in this vital role. Sam’s unwavering dedication to safety and service has left a lasting, positive impact on multiple generations of children.”
One of the students quoted in Graham’s nomination letter, a 1985 graduate of the school district, said, “I love Sam! He was my bus driver for all of my years of school. He was the best bus driver you could ask for. He made me feel safe and cared about. When I see him out in town I always stop and say hi and give him a big hug.”
“I have worked with Sam for 14 years and he is as diligent, careful and caring today as he was the day I met him,” said current Taylor County Schools Transportation Director Guy Wood. “And he never misses work. He is always there for the kids.”
Another student that currently rides Sam’s bus said, “He passes out candy canes at Christmas because he wants all the kids to feel like somebody loves them.”
Graham said it’s important to be a sympathetic figure to the children he interacts with.
“We’re not judges. We are people that need to listen and share,” Graham said. “And if they hurt, as a bus driver, I always felt I need to hurt with them.”
As a winner of the KESSP award, Graham’s name has been forwarded to the U.S. Department of Education (USED) for consideration for the national 2025 Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award.
The RISE award, which recognizes classified school employees who have displayed excellence in serving students, was passed by Congress in 2019 and is overseen by the USED.
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