Teachers Learn About Army Life

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Teachers Learn About Army Life
Army News Service | Gene Knudsen and Karl Weisel | December 04, 2007

WIESBADEN, Germany -- Recognizing that deployments affect not only Soldiers and their Families but their supporters, Wiesbaden Army Airfield hosted a workshop and tour to show Department of Defense Dependent Schools staff members the challenges Soldiers face.

"Many children of 1st Armored Division Soldiers deployed downrange are going to have three traumatic events in 15 months," said Col. Ray Graham, U.S. Army Garrison Hessen/Wiesbaden commander, while hosting the tour for some 85 teachers, administrators and other faculty members.

The trio of occurrences, Col. Graham noted, happen when servicemembers first deploy, when they return on mid-tour leave and when they "come back again and find all of the changes that have happened in their Families."

"I've always had a great deal of respect for our military members, but having this experience about their training and daily life has deepened my appreciation of them," said Laura Votipka-Albrecht, a Wiesbaden Middle School teacher. "It was a fabulous experience. I really do appreciate the command taking the time to recognize the school's role and to educate us on military life."

After an introduction and brief question-and-answer session on the 1st Armor Div. deployment and a community-support update, faculty members split into groups for a look at Army life, ranging from using the Engagement Skills Trainer to wearing protective body armor at the Central Issue Facility.

"It was not a normal day for me," said Tom Gothia, a social-studies teacher at Wiesbaden Middle School. "It was, however, one that makes me ever more mindful of what our children and their parents live, and that makes me a better teacher."


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,157508,00.html