ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Leadership from the 97th Air Mobility Wing met with local school administrators to inform them of the unique challenges faced by military children at Southwest Technology Center in Altus, Oklahoma, Oct. 9, 2024.
The intent of the event was to have open discussions between teachers and school administrators about best practices and available resources from the Department of Defense, the Air Force, and Altus Air Force Base specifically tailored to military connected students.
“Today served as a great reminder of what our military students go through, whether that’s having a parent who’s deployed or moving to a new environment,” said Misti Watson, Navajo Elementary School principal. “It’s important that we as educators take into account the emotional stressors that military children face.”
This discussion highlighted the critical role that educators play in fostering resilience and stability in the lives of military-connected youth. By working together, the aim is to ensure that these students thrive both academically and emotionally.
“Being able to have local school administration and our command team in the same room gave us the opportunity to talk about the unique lifestyles of military students,” said Gwendolyn Brakebill, 97th Force Support Squadron school liaison program manager. “Military children face challenges that not all other children face, and having schools understand that creates a better environment for our students and allows for more retention in the military and our workforce.”