Trucker Buddy

Trucker Buddy News- History Lessons From the Field

The students in Holly Andrews’ 5th grade class at Barrie Elemen-tary in Fort Atkinson, WI are learning more than history, math and geography from their Truck-er Buddy, Russ Dougherty. Truck-er Buddy Russ, otherwise known as “The Bandit” to the class, encourages his class to understand U.S. history, in addition to other subjects. He sends the students questions in his postcards, and expects the children to learn from his correspondence. As 5th grade student Ian writes, “He gives us problems in his postcards to get our brains working.”

Ian’s classmate, Katherine, shared a question Russ had asked the class: “I visited the Alamo. When was the war?” He also asked the children to tell him to name two cities on the “East Coast and West Coast” that are two hours apart.

Trucker Buddy Russ’ dedication to his class is the reason Teacher Holly Andrews nominated him for this award. “I can’t believe how much time and effort he puts into his letters to students, and the postcards he sends from places he has traveled to,” she wrote. Holly added that Russ is “a very kind, polite and thoughtful person. He goes above and beyond what I ever expected in having a Trucker Buddy for my students.”

Russ makes his home in Manson, IA, and is a company driver running with Johnsrud Transport in Des Moines. He is one of nearly 4,000 professional drivers who share their time and experience with elementary classes throughout the world. The only criteria to be a Trucker Buddy is to be a truck driver who is willing to send a postcard each week to a class in grades two through eight. Drivers and teachers can learn more about the program by visiting www.truckerbuddy.org or calling 1-800-MY BUDDY.