Back To School

It’s that time of year once again when we say goodbye to summer and welcome in the fall season. The children go back to school and the weather gets a bit cooler. I always look forward to meeting and corresponding with the new students and teacher that have chosen to be a part of the Trucker Buddy Program.

I have been involved with the “Trucker Buddy” organization for many years now and each year brings a smile when I receive that first big envelope of letters from my new students. Throughout my travels over the summer months, I have saved postcards from the many states throughout the United States. It’s fun to send them the postcards and correspond with the students throughout the year. This year’s class is second graders and the school is located in Pennsylvania.

The children are really interested in learning and it’s great to teach them about our profession as drivers and the interesting places we get to visit while doing our job. The students and teacher discuss my routes and enjoy looking up interesting facts about the areas and particular points of interest. Over the past several years, the second graders have followed my schedule and routes weekly on the large United States map located in the classroom. If I’m scheduled to travel nearby the school, I make arrangements ahead of time with the teacher to visit the class in person. The students always enjoy getting an up close look inside the truck and trailer.

My time and effort put into communicating with the teacher and students has been a very rewarding experience. Through being involved in the program, we as drivers have the opportunity to assist in educating our students while promoting a positive image for the trucking industry. If you decide to take part, I’m sure you’ll see why this is such a unique opportunity.

Trucker Buddy International is a nonprofit organization which began in 1992 and is dedicated to helping educate and mentor school children. The organization matches school grades K-8^th with professional truck drivers. The students learn skills in math, science, history, social studies and geography while having fun communicating to their “trucker buddy driver.” For more information go to https://www.truckerbuddy.org

Henry Albert

Henry Albert is the owner of Albert Transport, Inc., based in Statesville, NC. Before participating in the "Slice of Life" program, Albert drove a 2001 Freightliner Century Class S/T™, and will use his Cascadia for general freight and a dry van trailer. Albert, who has been a trucker since 1983, was recognized by Overdrive as its 2007 Trucker of the Year.