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| Soon my mailbox will be filled with drawings like this along with many letters asking questions about the trucking industry . |
September is here and the warm days of summer 2015 will soon be a memory. The children head back to the classroom as they begin a new school year. It’s that time of year when I make contact with my teacher in Pennsylvania to learn all about her new group of students. The teacher that I’m referring to teaches second grade and I’ve been fortunate to be the “Trucker Buddy” for her class over the last several years.
In a few weeks, as the children settle into their new schedules and become familiar each other and their teacher, we will begin to communicate with one another. We will be exchanging letters, post cards and I’ll be sharing my stories with them from over the road. My mailbox at home each month will be filled with a large envelope from the class which holds very special writings from the kids as they learn and experience new things about themselves and the world around them. They enjoy learning about the career or trucking, my hobbies, where I travel, what I like to eat and what type of truck I drive. This is always a great opportunity to teach them about our profession as drivers. Each year, they are reminded that truck drivers serve our nation and communities by providing food, clothing and all of the necessary items that they use each day. When my schedule allows, I make a trip to the school with the truck so they can get an up-close look inside. The teacher informs me that this is always a highlight and day they look forward to. The kids are always amazed and walk away with a new perspective on what being a truck driver is all about.
It’s fun to work with the children on the measurement of the truck and trailer. They learn about the United States and various cities as they discuss and route my travel throughout the country each week. They also enjoy learning about the distance and miles in which it takes to get from place to place. Each child writes to me throughout the year and I learn about their families, pets and hobbies. They tell me where they go on vacation, what they are learning in class and how they spend their holiday time.
It’s a great opportunity to work with the students and I’m honored to be a “Trucker Buddy.” Being involved in the program, we as drivers have the ability to assist in educating our students while promoting a positive image for the trucking industry. If you enjoy children and want to be a part of their learning process, you may be a great candidate for the program.
Your time and effort can really make a difference for the children and this program is surely a rewarding experience for any driver who wishes to participate.
To register, renew or learn more about the Trucker Buddy program, please visit www.truckerbuddy.org.