“Deployment Was a Word, Not a Lifestyle�: Supporting Teacher Candidates to Work with Military-Connected Students Dr. Vicki Sherbert Kansas State University
Ms. Jennifer Ruffley USD 475 2017 National Association of Professional Development Schools National Conference Washington, D. C.
Today’s Presentation • • • • • • •
Our stories Our PDS partnership Overview of the research Insights from interns Insights from a Clinical Instructor Insights from a University Supervisor Implications for CTs, CIs, and USs preparing teacher candidates to work with militaryconnected learners
Our Stories
OUR PDS PARTNERSHIP
Overview of the Research • Background – Approx. 2 million military-connected students whose parents are active duty, members of National Guard or Reserves, or veterans of the US military – Over 80% of these children - 1,105,267 students - attend P-12 public schools (AACTE, 2011) – Educators entering the field may not be aware of aspects of military life or the social, emotional, & educational challenges military-connected learners may face
Overview of the Research – As educators strive to set a tone for the classroom that is inviting, caring, and supportive for all students, they also need to be informed about how the unique lived experiences of military-connected learners may affect learning (Astor, Jacobson, Benbenishty, 2012)
Overview of the Research • Research Questions – What are the perceptions of pre-service teachers with no military background regarding military-connected students? – How do these perceptions develop or change throughout the course of an internship working with military-connected students? – What are the implications for pre-service and practicing teachers?
Overview of the Research • Research Method – Qualitative Case Study • Data Collection Method – Three (3) semi-structured interviews
Early Insights from an Intern
Mid-Semester Insights from an Intern
Mid-Semester Insights from an Intern
Final Insights from an Intern
Final Insights from an Intern
Implications • Interns would benefit from a foundational understanding of military culture – Cooperating Teachers can be aware of the lack of exposure pre-service teachers may have to the military lifestyle – Clinical Instructors can gear seminars to provide exposure to military customs and potential impact on students – University Supervisors/Professors can offer resources to pre-service teacher throughout their program to help them consider the needs of military-connected learners. USs also need to be aware of factors that will impact the learning environment.
The research is ongoing....
Resources •
K-State College of Education Military Initiatives page: https://www.coe.ksu.edu/ about/military/index.html
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Teachers College Press: Free guides to support military students and their families http://www.tcpress.com/militaryfamiliesoffer.html
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Livebinder of Resources (Sandy Risberg): http://www.livebinders.com/play/play? id=860177
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Military Child Coalition: http://www.militarychild.org
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Resources for Military Child & Teens: https://www.coe.ksu.edu/about/documents/ Military_Children_Teens_Resources.pdf
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The Advocate Fall 2014-Winter 2015: http://www.atekan.org/wp/wp-content/ uploads/2014/12/Fall2014-FINAL.pdf
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Michigan Dept. of Ed.: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/ Web_Resources_for_Teachers_and_School_Administrators_352413_7.pdf
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American Sociological Association: Teaching active duty military students http:// www.asanet.org/footnotes/marchapril13/military_0313.html
Bibliography American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). Educator preparation materials for students with military families. http://aacte.org/pdf/Programs/ MCEC/Resources.pdf (Retrieved November 18, 2015). Astor, R. A.; Jacobson, L.; & Benenishty, R. (2012). The teacher’s guide for supporting students from military families. New York: Teachers College Press. Huebner, A. J. & Mancini, J. A. (2005). Adjustments among adolescents in military families when a parent is deployed: Final report to the Military Family Research Institute and Department of Defense Quality of Life OfXice. http://cfs.purdue.edu/mfri (retrieved September 28, 2008). Huebner, A. J. & Mancini, J. A. (2008). Supporting youth during parental deployment: Strategies for professionals and families. The Prevention Researcher. 15, supp D, 10-13. Huebner, A. J; Mancini, J. A.; Wilcox, R. M.; Grass, S. R. & Grass, G. A. (2007). Parental deployment and youth in military families: Exploring uncertainty and ambiguous loss. Family Relations. 56(2), 112-122. Mercer, D., Thurston, L, & Hughey, J. (2015). The college-wide military-connected learner initiative in K-State’s College of Education. The Advocate. 22(2), 24-30. Morse, J. (2006). The new emotional cycles of deployment. http://www.hooah4health.com/deployment/familymatters/Emotional_Cycle_Support.pdf (Retrieved August 2, 2011). National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) (2008). Educator’s guide to the military child during deployment sponsored by the Educational Opportunities Directorate of the Department of Defense and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Retrieved September 9, 2008, from http://www.ed.gov/about/ofXices/list/ os/homefront/homefront.pdf
Oates, M. D. (2002). Meeting the needs of adolescents with a family member recently deployed for military duty. TCA Journal, 30(2), 68-75. Ruff, B. S., & Keim, M. A. (2014) Revolving doors: The impact of multiple school transitions on military children. The Professional Counselor, 4(2), 103-113. Sherbert, V. (2011). “Well, besides the fact that deployment kinda stinks…”: Adolescent voices in literacy during military deployment. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from K-State Research Exchange http://hdl.handle.net/2097/12455 . Wenger, K. J., & Dinsmore, J. ((2005). Preparing Rural Preservice Teachers for Diversity. Journal of Research in Rural Education, 20(10), 1-15.
Contact Us
Dr. Vicki Sherbert Ms. Jennifer Ruffley sherbev@ksu.edu
jenniferruffley@usd475.org