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Conversations about the challenges military-connected kids face as they navigate multiple education systems from birth through high school.
Episodes
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023
Dr. Stephen Cozza and Dr. Christin Ogle talk about safety practices for young military families in and around the home and highlight resources available in the Safe is Strong toolkit, developed and designed to strengthen family health and safety.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Mildenhall Spouses’ Association. To learn more, visit https://www.mildenhallspousesassociation.com/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Resources:
https://www.cstsonline.org/safe/welcome
Bios:
Stephen J. Cozza, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the Uniformed Services University where he serves as Associate Director, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) and is responsible for the Child and Family Program. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He received his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
He completed his residency in General Psychiatry and fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. Dr. Cozza is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in the specialties of General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He has served in a variety of positions of responsibility in the Department of Psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to include Chief, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service, Program Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program and Chief, Department of Psychiatry.
He retired from the U.S. Army in 2006 after 25 years of military service. Dr. Cozza’s professional interests have been in the areas of clinical and community response to trauma in both military and civilian communities, including the impact of deployment and combat injury, illness and death on military service members, their families and their children. Dr. Cozza has highlighted the impact of deployment, injury, illness and death on the children and families of military service members.
He has also examined the risk for prolonged grief disorder, a unique grief-related clinical condition, in families affected by sudden and violent deaths, including those bereaved due to combat, suicide, homicide, accident, and terrorism. He is published in the scientific literature and has presented on these topics at multiple national and international scientific meetings. Dr. Cozza serves as a scientific advisor to several national organizations that focus on the needs of military children and families.
Christin M. Ogle, Ph.D. is a Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences’ Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS). Dr. Ogle’s research examines the impact of traumatic events and trauma-related psychopathology on health and development across the lifespan.
Dr. Ogle received undergraduate training at Reed College (Portland, Oregon); doctoral training in Developmental Psychology at the University of California, Davis; and post-doctoral training at Duke University Medical Center’s Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development as well as Duke University’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience.
Prior to her position at CSTS, Dr. Ogle served as the American Psychological Association’s Executive Branch Science Fellow at the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Department of Justice where she provided subject-matter expertise and programmatic support for NIJ’s research portfolios on children’s exposure to violence and violence against women.
Dr. Ogle currently holds leadership positions within the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Lucy discusses her experiences as a military child and how she navigates being the new kid at school (again!). Lucy is also the Middle School Spotlight Winner in the MCEC Call for the Arts contest, for her beautiful song, #Life of a Military Kid, and talks about her love of music, and how life inspires her songwriting.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Daughters of the American Revolution. To learn more, visit https://www.dar.org/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Bio:
Lucy is a 13-year-old 8th grader at Horace O’Bryant Middle School. Lucy is a proud military kid and has lived in St. Charles, Missouri; Jacksonville, FL; Rota, Spain; and Key West, FL. Lucy loves all things musical and plays the ukulele, guitalele, and guitar. She will be joining her school’s jazz band this year. Lucy is a member of her school’s dance team and helps her coach with choreography. She loves all things musical and can often be found singing, dancing, and writing songs for hours at a time. Lucy is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and maintains excellent grades. She is a loving sister, a kind friend, and a wonderful daughter!
Resources:
MCEC Back to School Toolkit:
https://www.militarychild.org/backtoschool
Military and Family Life Counseling
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/non-medical-counseling/military-and-family-life-counseling/
MCEC Call for the Arts
https://www.militarychild.org/programs/the-call-for-the-arts
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
In this mini podcast episode, you'll hear how MCEC has partnered with the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Department and Project ECHO® to host Professional Learning Communities (PLC) as a NEW way for educators to collaborate with and utilize a network of peers and partners to support military-connected students. Tara Gleason, Director of Programs at MCEC, discusses how the ECHO model is being used for professional development training.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Texas Education Agency. To learn more, visit https: https://tea.texas.gov/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Bio:
Tara Gleason joined the MCEC family in 2009 and is the proud parent of three military-connected children. Over the years she has served in multiple capacities throughout the organization and now serves as the Director of Programs. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Education in Human Services with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction.
Resources:
https://hsc.unm.edu/echo/what-we-do/about-the-echo-model.html
https://www.militarychild.org/purplestarschools#echo
https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/military-families/purple-star-campus-designation
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Jennifer Predny, the parent of four military-connected children talks about the impact of multiple transitions and how they have affected her family. She gives insight on how parents can assist their children navigate being the new kid at school.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Hanscom Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https: https://hanscomsc.org/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Bio:
Jennifer Predny is an Army wife of 17 years and has four children, ages 16, 15, 11, and 9. Over the years Jennifer has learned how to navigate advocating for a child with a 504 plan in several different school systems, homeschooling for elementary, middle, and high school kids in two different states, transitioning kids from homeschool to public school, and everything in between. Jennifer is an avid volunteer, former PTO President, and Senior Advisor to her husband’s unit. She has a B.A. in English Creative Writing and will graduate with her MFA in Creative Writing this fall.
Resources:
MCEC Back to School Toolkit:
https://www.militarychild.org/backtoschool
MCEC is the national advocate for Purple Star Schools. Interested in learning more? Visit:
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Kendall Harrison, Wylie High School History teacher and Student 2 Student sponsor in Abilene, Texas talks about supporting military-connected students and their families with a long-standing and successful student program. She includes some tips on how to make new students feel welcome during the Back-to-School season. Their first home football game is this week, so… Go Bulldogs!
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Texas Education Agency. To learn more, visit https: https://tea.texas.gov/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Bio:
Kendall Harrison
I live in Abilene, TX with my husband, Justin, and my two boys, Ryder and Reece. I teach 11th grade US History at Abilene Wylie High School and will be starting my 18th year of teaching. I am the Student 2 Student Sponsor and have been since the beginning of the program in 2015. One of my favorite things about the S2S program is to watch a new student that we welcomed to school get involved in the program because they remember what it was like to be the new student. I have enjoyed being a part of this group and seeing how students help students as peers.
Resources:
MCEC Student 2 Student:
https://www.militarychild.org/programs/student-2-student
Wylie High School Student 2 Student:
https://www.wyliebulldogs.org/domain/107
MCEC Back to School Toolkit:
https://www.militarychild.org/backtoschool
Wylie High School:
https://www.wyliebulldogs.org/hs
https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/military-families/purple-star-campus-designation
Monday Aug 14, 2023
Monday Aug 14, 2023
Amanda Najera talks about her experience as a military-connected child and how the Student 2 Student (S2S) program assisted her in feeling welcome as the new kid at school.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Cannon Spouses’ Association. To learn more, visit https: https://www.cannonspousesclub.org/donation-request-form.
Whether your family is starting at a new school after a PCS or at the same school as last year, MCEC wishes you a great school year. Check out these toolkits to set your family up for success this school year:
Explore our Back to School Toolkit: https://www.militarychild.org/backtoschool
Get to know the Military Child Well-being Toolkit: https://www.militarychild.org/wellbeingtoolkit
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Bio:
Amanda Najera joined the RiverDogs in early 2022 in her current role as the Community Relations Manager. Prior to joining the team, Amanda was the Event and Volunteer Coordinator at Keep Brevard Beautiful in Melbourne, Fl. While she relocated from Florida, she calls Oklahoma home. The Sooner State is where she received her bachelor's degree in public and nonprofit administration from the University of Oklahoma.
Resources:
https://www.militarychild.org/programs/student-2-student
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Dr. Becky Porter discusses the changing needs of military-connected children over the years, and how MCEC’s mission to support them through education, advocacy, and collaboration has evolved over their 25-year history.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Maxwell Gunter Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https: http://www.maxwellgunterspousesclub.com/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Learn more about MCEC’s 25-year history on our website:
https://www.militarychild.org/history
Bio:
Dr. Becky Porter joined MCEC as the President and CEO in 2019 following her retirement from Active Duty service with the U.S. Army.
Becky is a 1983 Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Washington and holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in clinical psychology from Fielding Graduate University. She earned her Master of Arts in counseling psychology from Chapman University and a Master of Science in national security and strategic studies from the National War College. She also earned an executive certificate in nonprofit management from the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy in 2020.
She is a board-certified clinical health psychologist, a fellow of the American Psychological Association, and a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit. Her awards and recognition include: The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Military Psychology, the Legion of Merit (3 awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal (6 awards). Additionally, she also holds the Army Surgeon General’s “A” Proficiency Designator as recognition of her significant contributions to the U.S. Army Medical Department.
Becky’s military career spanned more than 30 years, and she served in all three components of the U.S. Army with the Washington National Guard, the U.S. Army Reserves, and on Active Duty. She retired at the rank of colonel. She is a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and former special assistant to the U.S. Army’s 34th Chief of Staff, Gen. Eric Shinseki.
Her assignments included: Germany; Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii; the Pentagon; the United States Military Academy; Walter Reed Army Medical Center; and the Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical, Bethesda, MD.
She commanded the Dunham U.S. Army Health Clinic, Carlisle, Pa.; the DiLorenzo TRICARE Health Clinic at the Pentagon; and Public Health Command Europe.
Becky and her husband John, also a retired U.S. Army officer, live near Fort Cavazos, Texas
Resources:
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
Shelly Ramos, MIC3 Texas State Commissioner talks about the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission and how it can assist our military-connected students and their families when they are moving to Texas, and how the Compact is there to help in all 50 states.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Texas Education Agency. To learn more, visit: https://tea.texas.gov/
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Bio:
Shelly Ramos serves as the director of the Curriculum Division at the Texas Education Agency. Ms. Ramos provides statewide leadership for the implementation of new legislation and State Board of Education mandates for K-12 education, including the state curriculum standards known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS. The Curriculum Division at TEA is responsible for providing guidance regarding a number of program areas, including bilingual education, English as a second language, Title III, and migrant education; career and technical education; the subjects of the foundation and enrichment curriculum; and curriculum-related programs such as early childhood education, gifted/talented education, and Early College High Schools. Ms. Ramos has also served as the commissioner designee from Texas for the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) since 2016.
Prior to joining the Texas Education Agency, Ms. Ramos worked in educational publishing developing products for social studies teachers and students. She also served as a classroom social studies teacher for eleven years.
Resources:
https://mic3.net/assets/texas-compact-language.pdf
https://mic3.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/State-Council-Meetings_Additonal-Statute_2022.06..pdf
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Tina Norris discusses self-care and what it really means, as well as the benefits and how to prioritize time for yourself in your daily life.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Marne Community and Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https: https://www.marnecommunityandspousesclub.com/.
Show Notes:
MCEC Global Training Summit
Don’t miss Tina’s webinar, Self-care Essentials for Military Families, available On Demand in the MCEC Global Training Summit event platform. The Virtual Summit is Wednesday, July 26 from 11 am – 4:30 pm EDT. Register today — it’s not too late and it’s free.
https://www.militarychild.org/gts
Did you miss the Virtual Summit? No worries. Starting in August, you can find Tina’s webinar on our YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUzhGmwwoHKO3pnHjmiWKJZXycWSqhVPB
Bio:
Tina Norris brings a wealth of experience in working with children, adolescents, and families to her role as the Family Engagement Specialist at PEATC. With a strong focus on engaging families of children with disabilities, Tina manages the family engagement initiative and is dedicated to empowering families through education and advocacy. Her expertise extends to various areas, as she is a highly respected speaker and workshop facilitator who addresses topics such as family engagement, bullying prevention, self-care and wellness, puberty to adulthood, and sexual health and wellness for students with disabilities.
Having personally navigated the complex education system as a parent, Tina firmly believes that family engagement is critical for the success of all children. Through her practical approach, she establishes collaborative relationships with schools, communities, and advocacy organizations, serving as a bridge to enhance family engagement within our communities and schools.
Tina is a Certified Bullying Prevention Specialist, Certified Healing Centered Engagement Practitioner, and an ACT Raising Safe Kids Violence Prevention Facilitator. She is a member of the National Association for Family, School, Community Engagement, the International Bullying Prevention Association, and serves on the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Parent Center Workgroup.
Resources:
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Brook Schmidt from the The Parents Place of Maryland discusses special education placement, the importance of the team approach, and how setting SMART goals provides a blueprint for support services.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Dover Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https: https://www.doverspousesclub.com/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
MCEC Global Training Summit
Don’t miss Brook’s webinar, Back to Basics: How Goals Drive Placement in Special Education, On Demand in the Global Training Summit event platform. Register for the Virtual Summit, today — it’s free.
https://www.militarychild.org/gts
Bio:
Brook Schmidt is the Co-Deputy Director of Program & Quality at The Parents Place of Maryland. Brook has over 6 years of experience working with families in special education and serving the military community. She graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has served on several boards and in volunteer positions supporting families with children with disabilities, education, and the military community. She currently resides in Frederick County, Maryland with her husband and their blended family of 7 children. As a former Army brat and the parent of two children with disabilities she has a passion for empowering and supporting others.