Trucker Buddy News

Trucker Buddy ‘Dave’ is Terrific

“In my 19 years of teaching, I haven’t seen so much excitement toward learning as I do when the kids are learning from Trucker Dave,” says Sharyn Powell, a third-grade teacher at Half Day School in Lincolnshire, IL. Her students have been corresponding with David Matousek for the past four years.

Each year, Trucker Dave, who makes his home in Rolling Mea-dows, IL, sends his students postcards from around the country as he delivers his loads for Jevic Transportation. He has taught the children about the space program through his visit to the Kennedy Space Center. He also returned from a trip to Japan, bringing photos and stories from his international travels.

Ms. Powell nominated Trucker Dave as this month’s Trucker Buddy of the Month because he has taught her students more than geography, math and writing. “He has shared his positive moral values in teaching the kids about the importance of family, education and a positive work ethic,” she adds.

“Trucker Dave is a terrific person,” according to students Audrey and Emily. “He teaches us like he is our assistant teacher.” Students Kiele and Jack say that Trucker Dave has a “sparkling personality,” and that when he sent them trivia questions from his visit to the Golden Gate Bridge, he “really had us stumped.”
Trucker Buddy Dave 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 who is willing to send a postcard each week to a class in grades two through eight. Drivers and teachers can find out more about the program by visiting www.truckerbuddy.org or calling 1-800-MY BUDDY.

Dave Matousek will receive a personalized jacket, along with a check for $300 to spend on his class and $200 in Trucker Buddy merchandise.

Over the Road and Pro Trucker magazines are proud sponsors of the Trucker Buddy program.