Sherryll Byrd was named Trucker Buddy of the month after second grade teacher Carole Sylvester and her class at Oak Grove School in Ojai, Cal. sent in their glowing nomination.  Byrd drives for United Van Lines and has been the Trucker Buddy for Sylvester’s class for five years in a row.

Ms. Sylvester commented on his nomination, “Mr. Byrd’s postcards enliven my social studies program and teach my students about the many states of our wonderful country.  He sends us a postcard almost every week and always teaches us something interesting about the state he is currently in.  He also teaches us about the job a trucker does which complements another aspect of our social studies program: Jobs in our community.”

Sylvester’s students (and their parents) have been thrilled to have Byrd as a major part of the class curriculum.  Every time they get a postcard, they chart the state on a U.S. map and discuss facts about each state. 

“Pen pals are a huge part of my curriculum and the children have really enjoyed having an adult pen pal that corresponds with them regularly,” says Sylvester. “ Mr. Byrd came to visit my class at Oak Grove School with his wife Jackie in 2008.  We had a wonderful time and the children got to ask him questions in person.  He gave us a fabulous tour of his large truck and children that are now in junior high at Oak Grove School still talk about their trucker buddy, Mr. Byrd.”

The class nominated Byrd as Trucker Buddy of the Month because they say he has added so much to the lives of children in Ms. Sylvester’s school.  He has made studying the U.S. come alive in a way that would otherwise be difficult.  Sylvester says that Byrd has helped them to see the sights of our wonderful country and learn about its plants, animals, historic sites and capitals in a fun and personable way.  She feels the children greatly appreciate it when he takes the time to remember the class every week and teach them something new about the country. 

  “Please consider Mr. Byrd as a candidate for Trucker Buddy of the Month because he is an excellent Trucker Buddy and has touched the lives of many of our families in our small school,” says Sylvester. “We hope he will be chosen and that we will be lucky again in the future to have him drive close enough to Ojai so that we may thank him again in person for doing such a great job as our dedicated Trucker Buddy!”