MilSpouse Life
Inside this post: Part two of the military kids education series. Find part one here — The Ultimate PCS Checklist for Military Kids Changing Schools.
Dear Teacher of Military Children,
I’m writing to you because you have special kiddos in your care. You have military children in your class, and there are a few things that you need to know.
First, you are amazing.
You are wonderful simply because you are a teacher. You are taking the time to guide and love the future of our world each and every day.
We know this is not an easy task. Thank you for caring enough to keep showing up and bringing your A-game.
Military kids are special.
You already knew that. Now, let me tell you why.
Military children move, on average, every 2.5 years. That’s every three school years. By high school, a military child might have attended upwards of four different schools.
That’s four different sets of education standards and curriculums.
It can be hard to handle just one state’s school rules and regulations. Imagine dealing with so many different hoops and loopholes.
Then there are the actual academics.
Our kids might be missing all of fractions thanks to a mid-year move. The same might be true about any core content area.
A child might move from California to Virginia, only to be thrown into Virginia studies in fourth grade or expected to have that prior knowledge for high school history.
Suddenly, that child is thrown into the deep end without a float.
Our children need you to help smooth out the bumps and lumps.
We want you to let us know when you see a weakness or gaps in knowledge.
As parents, we love your insights and expertise.
Military families need to know how your school and this state operates. We need to know the standards. We want your help.
MilKids are dealing with friendships.
Moving so often means saying goodbye to dear friends.
Everyone handles it in different ways. Some kiddos become more outgoing, ready to make new friends.
Other kids shrink back, afraid to say goodbye to more friends.
Our kiddos also need your help. Your watchful eye can help all of us handle tough situations if they pop up. You are our first line of defense on the playground and the hallways.
Please tell us about new opportunities for our kids to make friends. We want to see all of the fliers for Scouts and drama and band.
Your help with forming book clubs or even just connecting parents is so valuable.
Mostly, MilKids need your love.
They need you to love them.
They have seen too much in their lives, have moved so often and said goodbye to too many friends.
These children have lived with the fear that their deployed parent might not come home.
MilKids continue to worry about what Daddy or Mommy brought home from “over there.” Their parents could have PTSD, hidden wounds, missing limbs and memories of their friends gone too soon.
MilKids worry that their old friends will forget them. They are concerned about being the new kid yet again.
Will there be bullies?
Will I fit in or stand out?
With extended family probably far away and deployment likely — you — their teacher, are a huge source of stability.
You show up, day in and day out.
You provide guidance and a shoulder to cry on.
Your next book suggestion could be the lifeline that my military child needs. Your watchful eye can help catch academic issues before they get too big.
Oh yes, teacher of military children, you are amazing.
Ultimately, we rely on you to help, guide and love our MilKids every day. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Please let us know how our military family can help you, too.
Sincerely,
a military wife
Want more on military life?
- The Ultimate PCS Checklist for Changing Schools With Military Kids
- What a 2 Year-Old Will Teach You About Surviving Deployment
- 7 Best Army Toys for Kids That Will Encourage Coping Through Play
- How to Stop Your Child From Whining Immediately
This is awesome! I work in a school district that has 50% military kids almost! the other 30% are low income and/or first generation Americans. The teachers here do such a great job with all the students.
But one thing we do here, is right before school starts go and visit all the students at their home to welcome them to school. We even track down the students living in hotels or campers because they are waiting on housing! Image being a middle schooler, in a new state and base and having a people come find and personally welcome you to the school. It’s awesome fun to do!
That is awesome ?. Very good idea ❤
I feel bad for the kids who always have to say goodbye to their new close friends.
Students in grades 6 to 12 and at the college level can take part in military college-preparatory schools. These public and private boarding schools teach military principles that equip students professionally and academically.