Trucker Buddy

'TB2' helps students to use an atlas

Brianna is a fifth-grade student at Southern Elementary School in Falmouth, KY. Trucker Buddy driver William “TB2” Robles, who taught the class more than geography and writing skills, adopted her class. “He helps me learn to use the atlas,” wrote Brianna, who added that she “loves trying to add up the miles he has gone on his trips.”

The students’ teacher, Ms. Chris Morris, joined the Trucker Buddy program in 2001 and has corresponded with William Robles for the past four years. “He writes us where he picks up a load and where he delivers it, and the students must use their atlases to calculate how many miles he drives,” she says. “It is a difficult concept for the students to learn, and this activity gives meaning to why they need to learn the skill.”

When Robles received a letter from a little girl who shared her frustrations about her lack of friends, he spent extra time with her and asked her for assistance when he visited the classroom. When she received a small bear for her efforts, her face beamed. Her teacher described her response as “absolute joy” in being chosen for the honor.

William Robles operates a Peterbilt under his own authority, B2 Trans-port, based in Bullhead City, AZ. He is a special Trucker Buddy to his students, and is one of nearly 4,000 professional drivers who share their time with elementary classes throughout the world. The only criteria to be a Trucker Buddy is to be a truck driver willing to send a postcard each week to a class in grades two through eight. Drivers can find out more about the program by visiting www.truckerbuddy.org or calling (800) MY BUDDY.

Robles will receive a personalized jacket, along with a check for $300 to spend on his class and $200 in Trucker Buddy merchandise, compliments of Multi-Media Advertising. Over the Road and Pro Trucker magazines are proud sponsors of the Trucker Buddy program.