Taylor Swift is all the rage around the world, and it’s no different here in Bentonville where one local school teacher uses songs from the pop queen to connect with his students.

Shawn Holland, a bus driver and physical education teacher at Bright Field Middle School, received the district’s monthly Extra Mile Award at the Nov. 19 School Board meeting for his dedication to students’ well-being.

Holland started “Swiftie Fridays” on his bus, playing Taylor Swift hits during the ride. It was so popular with the students on his route that he now does the same in his PE classes.

“It started off really fun on the bus, I’ll do anything to make the boys uncomfortable,” Holland said during the school board meeting. “Get them outside of their shell. The girls are screaming, yelling, having a great time, but then they start joining in and having fun with it.” 

Holland was nominated by Amy Terry, a parent whose daughter is in his P.E. class and also rides his bus. Terry presented Holland with the award during the school board meeting. She spoke about how at first her daughter was nervous to ride a new bus to school when their family moved, but Holland changed that.

“She preferred to ride the bus sometimes because they have ‘Swiftie Fridays’ where the whole bus sings along, including you I believe,” Terry said to Holland, laughing. “I’ve heard even the boys join in sometimes.”

Terry said that Holland will also stop the bus to look at a “really good sunrise.”

“I just want to say what peace of mind it gives me,” Terry added. “He is so happy and joyful and fun for the kids to be around.”

In a memo about the nomination, Leslee Wright, director of communications, wrote that Holland is “a 20-year veteran teacher and bus driver, and in that time he has prioritized safety and fun for his students.” He fosters an open environment that “promotes encouragement, forgiveness and second chances — ideas he strongly values.”

Holland was born and raised in Bentonville.

“I couldn’t think of a better school district to be in,” he said. “We’ve got great kids. We love our jobs, we love our students.”

What’s Holland’s favorite Swift song? “22” and “Shake It Off” are his top picks.

“We’ve got a playlist that we go through,” he added.

Any person may nominate a Bentonville Schools employee for the Extra Mile award.