JEFFERSON, Ga. — Frank Nathanson has been named the ACS MultiMedia Trucker Buddy Driver of the Month for May for going above and beyond in furthering the education of his third grade class.

“Frank sends each child their own postcard from different parts of the United States,” said Deborah Penney, teacher for the class at John S. Hobart Elementary School in Shirley, N.Y. “He gives the children clues on them as to where he is. Then we have to guess to see if we are correct. The students love this game he plays with them.”

“It is like a scavenger hunt because he gives us clues and postcards of where he is,” said student, Samantha.

Nathanson has been a Trucker Buddy for Penney’s class for the past two years. In addition to sending postcards every week from places he has been, he also has built a Web site especially for his class.

“Frank has created a Web site just for us. It’s terrific,” Penney said. “He has posted pictures of my classes there. He also scans the children’s letters that he has received and posts them on the Web site with his responses. The students love to visit this Web site. It makes them feel very special.”

The class was thrilled when Nathanson was able to visit last fall.

“We got to interview him and learned lots of interesting information about him,” said student, Elizabeth. “He can even speak five languages.”

Nathanson, a Trucker Buddy since 2005, lives in Staten Island, N.Y., and has been an owner/operator leased to Swift Transportation for four years. During that time he has received safe driving certificates all four years.

In addition to his computer and language skills, Nathanson also sticks to the basics, teaching the children about safety on the road.

“Trucker Buddy Frank also taught me safety rules for driving,” wrote third grader, Jazmine. “Here are a few rules he taught me: Don’t drink and drive, keep your eyes on the road, and remember to always wear your seatbelt. These are important because they keep me safe and if you don’t do them you can get hurt.”

Nathanson has also given the children material gifts, including items from the Trucker Buddy merchandise store such as the CAT Scale Beanie Friends, pencils and erasers, rulers and postcards.

For more information on the program, visit www.truckerbuddy.org.