While most children dread school days, there are certain lessons that make them want to get up in the morning. Sure, any teacher can get through a lesson plan with multiplication drills and history textbooks. But it takes a special kind of educator to think outside the box in order to make an impact.
According to Journal Gazette, elementary school teacher Jina Newman is one of those teachers. It started many years ago when writing letters was the main source of communication outside of phone calls.
Newman had the idea to issue her students a pen-pal. It’s become a tradition that she still carries on today. But this isn’t your ordinary pen-pal assignment; the children write letters to a seasoned trucker through a program called Trucker Buddy. What better way to learn about the real-world than through the eyes of a trucker who sees it all?
The letters detail the locations he has visited and the adventures he has encountered along the way.
According to their website, Trucker Buddy, established in 1992, is an International nonprofit organization “dedicated to helping educate and mentor school children via a pen pal relationship between background checked professional truck drivers and children in grades K-8 as well as special needs classes, Girls and Boys Clubs and Scouting events.”
Naturally, the children learn about business, commerce, history and geography. But it doesn’t stop there. Through the pen pal system, students also gain skill in writing, reading and social skills. Beyond that, students even complete homework for their trucker pal, covering a variety of subjects.
He explained, “I write to them every week.” He even comes to visit the class a couple times a year. On holidays, he surprises the children with gifts. “I’ve looked forward to it all winter long. They’re my little pals.”
The children were overjoyed to learn about the trucker’s life and they even got to climb into the truck. Trucker Buddy is potentially inspiring a new generation of young truckers.
It’s the simple things that capture the heart and the imagination of children. Through the Trucker Buddy system, both parties have so much to gain. Children are becoming more knowledgeable in an unconventional way, while members of the trucking industry can help communities in a whole new light.
