MCEC Podcast

Dr. Daniel Perkins and Dr. Jennifer Karre discuss the importance of policy in supporting military-connected students and families.  Listen as they examine the implementation of four policy initiatives: Advance Enrollment (AE), the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3), the Military Student Identifier (MSI), and the Purple Star School program.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the West Point Spouses’ Club.  To learn more, visit https://westpointspousesclub.org/.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes: Resources:   Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness https://militaryfamilies.psu.edu/   Evaluation of State Implementation of Supportive Policies to Improve Educational Experiences and Achievement for K-12 Military Children https://militaryfamilies.psu.edu/projects/view/speak-military-children/   Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission https://mic3.net   Military Student Identifier https://militarychild.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-104-MSI-Position-Statement_20250103-1.pdf   Military Child Education Coalition https://www.militarychild.org   Bio: Daniel F. Perkins, Ph.D., is a Professor of Family and Youth Resiliency and Policy at Penn State University and also the Director and Principal Scientist of the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, a university-wide applied research center.  Dr. Perkins has been designing and evaluating strengths-based family and youth development programs in 4-H and Cooperative Extension and leading complex projects for over 25 years. His work involves teaching, research, and outreach through the Penn State Cooperative Extension Service. One of his primary areas of focus is in fostering the well-being of military service members, veterans, and their families through the Clearinghouse. In his role as Principal Scientist, he is able to facilitate the translation of science into action by providing comprehensive, science-based programs and technical assistance to professionals working with military service members, veterans and their families.     Jennifer Karre, Ph.D. is a Research & Evaluation Scientist at the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State. Her Ph.D. is in Developmental Psychology. For over a decade, her role at the Clearinghouse has centered around program and policy evaluation. She has worked on evaluations of programs and policies for Service Members and their families related to fathering, parenting, child and youth development, child and youth educational support, couple relationships, reintegration after deployment, financial readiness, and emergency preparedness. 

Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are foundational to a child’s healthy development and well-being.  Listen as Dr. Elizabeth Hisle-Gorman and Dr. Binny Chokshi discuss promoting PCEs and how the Healthy Outcomes From Positive Experiences (HOPE) model supports strengthening families. This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Team Seymour Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https://www.teamseymourspouses.com/.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes: Resources:   Healthy Outcomes From Positive Experiences (HOPE) https://positiveexperience.org/   Hidden Heroes- Elizabeth Dole Foundation https://hiddenheroes.org/   Operation Purple Camp- National Military Family Association https://www.militaryfamily.org/programs/operation-purple/operation-purple-camp/   The Military Child Well-being Toolkit https://www.militarychild.org/resource/wellbeing-toolkit/   Military OneSource https://www.militaryonesource.mil/non-medical-counseling/   Bio: Dr. Hisle-Gorman is Director of the Military Family Research Division and Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. She began her career as a social worker working in neighborhood development efforts in Washington, DC to support and strengthen families to prevent family violence and overcome hardship. However, a move to a military town with her active-duty military spouse, re-focused her on work with military families. She served as a Child Protective Services officer in Onslow County, North Carolina and worked extensively with military families. After completing her Ph.D. in Social Work at the University of Maryland, Dr. Hisle-Gorman taught and worked in community development and was the senior author on one of the first articles to document the clinical effects of military deployment on children. She subsequently moved to USUHS to expand its research portfolio exploring the effects of military life on children. Her research interests are focused the impact of past military deployment on military children, effects of parental injury and family violence on pediatric health and mental health, and healthcare usage trends in military pediatrics. However, she has also worked on projects examining autism in children, indicators of immunization completion, neonatal health, care for transgender individuals, healthcare disparities, and the effects of medications on children. Dr. Hisle-Gorman has significant experience working with the Military Health System Data Repository and conducting retrospective research studies about military-connected children using the MDR. Dr. Hisle-Gorman most enjoys mentoring medical students, residents, and junior faculty on research projects, and teaching them the research process on an individual basis.   Dr. Binny Chokshi is a general pediatrician, with a focus on adolescents and young adults. Dr. Chokshi's research and education interests are focused on understanding the impact of early life stressors on health across the life course. To mitigate the effects of trauma and stress on children, Dr. Chokshi advocates for a trauma-informed approach to healthcare. She has developed web-based e-modules to train outpatient pediatricians in responding to childhood adversity with a trauma-informed care approach and has also trained medical students and residents at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. In a prior role at Children's National Hospital, she also worked with hospital leadership to develop hospital wide trauma-informed practices. In her current role at USUHS, Dr. Chokshi examines how military specific factors may impact child and and family health, with a current focus on how social determinants of health such as food security impact military child health.  Dr. Chokshi is also passionate on promoting positive childhood experiences, to foster healthy development in children and counter the impacts of stressful experiences.  Dr. Chokshi has a vested interest in medical education and completed Masters in Education at the George Washington University School of Education and Human Development. On a national level, Dr. Chokshi serves on the Expert Leadership Team for the American Academy of Pediatrics project “Building Capacity for Trauma-Informed Pediatric Care”.   

Dr. Emily Goodman-Scott discusses Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and the importance of the school counselors’ role in meeting the needs of all students. She highlights the benefits of universal mental health screenings in educational settings and how buy-in and support is critical to successful implementation. This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Hanscom Spouses Club. To learn more, visit https://hanscomsc.org/index.html.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes:   Resources: School Counselors for MTSS: https://www.schoolcounselors4mtss.com/   Anti-Racism Counseling in Schools and Communities by Cheryl Holcomb McCoy https://imis.counseling.org/store/detail.aspx?id=78181   Supporting All Students: Multitiered Systems of Support from an Antiracist and Critical Race Theory Lens https://www.schoolcounselors4mtss.com/_files/ugd/7ddd06_87e7df0c2f1649649b039fb7277fa320.pdf   Bio: Dr. Emily Goodman-Scott is an Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director, and School Counseling Coordinator at Old Dominion University, in VA, where she teaches the next generation of school counselors. Before that, she spent several years working as an elementary school counselor, a special education teacher, and in multiple mental health settings counseling youth.   Dr. Goodman-Scott is passionate about researching, writing, and presenting on school counseling topics, including MTSS. She’s presented across the U.S., offering trainings, keynotes, pre-conferences, and district-partnerships. She is the lead editor of the book, A School Counselor’s Guide to MTSS (2019, Routledge), and with colleagues authored Making MTSS Work, published by ASCA (2020).   After nearly 10 years as a board member for the Virginia School Counselor Association, Dr. Goodman-Scott served as Chair of the VSCA Board (2019-2020) and is presently the co-chair of the Research Committee. She co-coordinates a national network of school counseling faculty, was president of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (2020-2021), and represented Virginia at several White House School Counseling Convenings under First Lady Michelle Obama. She recently was elected to the American Counseling Association governing council (2022-2025). She is on the editorial review board for multiple journals related to school counseling, including ASCA’s Professional School Counseling journal. Finally, she is proud to be a recipient of the 2020 American Counseling Association Research Award, and the 2018 Insiders Business: “Top 40 Under 40” recognition.   She lives in Virginia with her spouse and three spunky young children. On the weekends you can find her at a nearby park, leading Girl Scouts, or making brunch with her family. You can follow her on Twitter: e_goodmanscott.    

“Are the kids okay?” Mental health in children and teens has been at the forefront of topics for concern, especially since the pandemic. Ross Szabo discusses the importance of mental health education in schools, and how we can normalize talking about it in our everyday conversations.          This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Academy Spouses' Club https://www.usafaasc.org/ and Randolph Spouses’ Club https://randolphspousesclub.membershiptoolkit.com/home.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes:   Resources:   https://humanpowerproject.com/   Bio: Ross Szabo Talking about emotions can be a challenge, but Ross’s brutally honest, relatable and humorous approach puts audiences at ease as they confront a difficult topic. When Ross was a freshman in college, everything on the surface seemed to be fine. He was making friends, getting good grades and had a fun social life. However, no one could have imagined how many emotions he was suppressing. Ross was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 16, was hospitalized for attempting to take his own life during his senior year of high school, and like so many other freshman, just wanted to fit in. He tried to hide what he was feeling to convince everyone that everything was ok, but that can only last for so long. Ross’s story resonates with the millions of college students who are putting on a happy face to hide their true emotions. Ross uses tasteful humor and insights to help participants understand common mental health conditions and individual differences. He also covers warning signs that students can look for in their friends and peers, as well as resources that can provide guidance in these sensitive situations. Ross is NOW the CEO of the Human Power Project. He is an award-winning mental health speaker, writer, trainer and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Ross has spoken to more than 1 million students about the importance of mental health and provided a positive example to empower them to seek help. He received the 2010 Didi Hirsch Removing the Stigma Leadership Award, 2012 Changing Minds Award and had his advocacy work entered into the Congressional Record. He is the co-author of Behind Happy Faces; Taking Charge of Your Mental Health and a blogger for The Huffington Post.  

Dr. Kimberly Dickman discusses the impact of loneliness and why it is an epidemic across the United States.  She also shares the importance of having meaningful connections and how those connections influence our overall well-being.      This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Vance Spouses' Club https://www.vancespousesclub.com/ and Peterson, Schriever, Cheyenne Mountain Spouses’ Club https://www.pscspousesclub.org/.      Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.    Show Notes:    Resources:    Dickman, K. (2024, July). Loneliness: The New Global Pandemic. On the Move. Summer 2024  https://militarychild.org/news-and-publications/      Bio:    Dr. Kimberly S. Dickman serves as an assistant professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy Center for Character and Leadership Development (CCLD), where she leads the Healthy Relationship Education and Emotional Intelligence branch of the Development Division in the Center. CCLD’s mission is to advance the understanding, scholarship, practice, and integration of character and leadership development, resulting in cadets and permanent party prepared for service to the nation.     Dr. Dickman is a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified educator. She began her work in education for the Department of Defense in 1991. During her 20+ years of civilian service she has performed at the Wing and Headquarters Air Force level before coming to USAFA. Of note is her work in the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program where she focused on education, analysis, and prevention science. Her extensive experience allows her to serve at USAFA as faculty and lead in topics such as healthy relationships, emotional intelligence, positive psychology, prevention science, human sexuality, and leadership development. She teaches Human Sex, Reproduction, and Sexuality in the Biology Department and Applied Positive Psychology in the Behavioral Science and Leadership Department.      Dr. Dickman is widely recognized and is frequently requested to present across the DoD and on a national scale.   

"Connections are at the heart of growth".  Listen as Dr. Brent Wolf, school principal and lifelong educator discusses the importance of meaningful connections in building relationships.  Connecting with students, parents, and educators creates a true foundation for growth.    This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Wiesbaden Community Spouses’ Club, Inc., and Ramstein Officers’ Spouses' Club. To learn more, visit https://wiesbadencommunityspousesclub.wildapricot.org/ and https://www.ramsteinosc.org/.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes: Resources:   2025 MCEC Global Training Summit https://militarychild.org/event/gts/   Bio: Brent Wolf has taught students in elementary and middle school for sixteen years before stepping into his role as the Principal at Derby Hills Elementary School in Derby, Kansas. For over a decade, he has taught as an adjunct professor at Baker University, Southwestern College, Wichita State University, and Cowley College. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Leadership Studies from Southwestern College, as well as a Master’s degree in Education from Baker University, Doctoral Coursework from Kansas State University, a Building-level Administrator Certificate from Pittsburg State University, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Southwestern College.   South Central Kansas has always been near and dear to Brent’s heart. He taught 3rd through 8th grade in Winfield, KS. Following those years, Brent moved into an Instructional Technology Specialist position for two years. After eight years teaching middle school English in Derby, KS (suburb of Wichita), Brent moved into the role as Building Principal at Derby Hills Elementary. This is his 5th year in that role.   Brent’s honors include making the first-ever website for Winfield Public Schools with his students through the GenY program. In 2015, Brent was named the KAKE News Golden Apple Award Recipient. In 2017, Brent was Derby Public School’s Secondary Teacher of the Year. That year, he also was named Region IV Teacher of the Year. He was a finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year. Brent also was named a Spotlight Faculty Member at Baker University’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies. Brent serves on several committees through the Kansas State Department of Education. Brent currently is a member of the Higher Education Review Committee which accredits Kansas colleges’ education programs. He also serves as District 9-10 member of the Commissioner of Education’s Advisory Council. Brent is a newer member of the Kansas Teacher Recruitment and Retention Committee Member. Brent was the chair of the committee that wrote the ELA standards for PreK-12 in 2017. Brent was recently inducted into the Southwestern College Educators’ Hall of Fame.   Brent’s longest service period has been as a member and Vice President of the Winfield’s Board of Education. Brent served nine years and worked with hiring three superintendents, managing two bond issues, and tackling one global pandemic.            

Human Performance Resources by CHAMP (HPRC) is a team of scientists and specialists who utilize research to develop evidence-based resources to help service members and their families to achieve total fitness.  Listen as Dr. Lauren Messina discusses the #GotMySix campaign and its focus on social connections and relationship building to help support military families maintain overall fitness.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.     Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes: Resources:   #GotMySix https://www.hprc-online.org/total-force-fitness/gotmysix   Human Performance Resources by CHAMP https://www.hprc-online.org/   Bio: Lauren A. Messina, PhD, LCMFT, DipACLM is a Senior Scientist supporting the Human Performance Resources by CHAMP (HPRC-online.org) team at the Uniformed Services University. With her clinical and research experiences, Lauren is a subject-matter expert in relational health, family well-being, social connections, behavior change, and holistic approaches to well-being. She is a Diplomate with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and a certified Health and Well-being Coach by Wellcoaches ©.   Dr. Messina is an Assistant Professor in the School of Medicine and the College of Allied Health Sciences at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. She is also an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Messina has a master’s degree and clinical license in Couple and Family Therapy and a doctoral degree in Family Science from the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Listen as Dominic Cirincione, a Military Family Advocate, discusses the unique challenges faced by military students of Reserve Component families.  These “Hidden Children” many times go unnoticed because of their non-traditional military lifestyle.  Dominic shares the importance of identifying these students and providing specialized systems of support. This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.     Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes: Resources:   2025 MCEC Global Training Summit https://militarychild.org/event/gts/   Bio: Dominic Cirincione is a motivational speaker, Military Family Advocate, and certified career coach who specializes in quality of life for geographically dispersed Military Families. As a decorated combat veteran, military spouse, and father, Dominic brings unique perspectives gained from his experience to organizations dedicated to supporting military families, empowering agencies to unleash the untapped potential of unique demographics and truly make a difference across the DoD enterprise. Using real-world examples, top level research and storytelling, Dominic sheds light on how the invaluable talent each person brings to your organization can positively impact our military families around the world.   Dominic has earned several significant awards to include Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA) that he shares a fraternity with other recipients such as John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton, and Vice Presidents Al Gore, Dan Quayle, and Richard Cheney to name a few. He has also been awarded the DoD Reserve Family Readiness Award three times in six years. Dominic’s career has been a model of service recognized with awards and decorations, and he has been a speaker for over 100K Deploying Soldiers and Families and has presented the importance of Building Healthy Military Communities to the US Senate. Dominic shows each audience how to reconnect with what matters most so they can achieve any result, all while serving America’s Greatest Customers.

Artificial intelligence is quickly transforming the educational landscape.  AI offers immersive learning experiences, opportunities for enhanced engagement, and increased accessibility for students in the classroom.  Listen as Dr. Ann H. Lê discusses how AI is changing education and how school systems can learn to embrace this technology.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Sheppard Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https://sheppardspousesclub.org/.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes: Resources:   AI Tools:   Khanmigo https://www.khanmigo.ai/   Magic School https://www.magicschool.ai/   Eduaide https://www.eduaide.ai/   Gradescope https://www.gradescope.com/   Curipod https://curipod.com/   Speechify https://speechify.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooh4FHBTOh4GidnMpckbi5XKM8sfkHS4qwRUI_cZoU4_mEPx11X   Bio: Dr. Ann H. Lê is a visionary Special Education Consultant and advocate with over two decades of service and leadership in education. Through her consulting practice, Lê Consulting, she partners with families, educators, and institutions to improve outcomes for students with disabilities by offering expert guidance in areas such as behavior intervention, inclusive practices, and compliance.   Her career spans a wide range of roles, including special education teacher, educational diagnostician, ARD facilitator, behavior specialist, and Assistant Director of Special Education, each grounded in a deep commitment to equity, access, and student-centered practices.    Dr. Lê holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education from Sam Houston State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Neuroscience, Pre-Law, and Pre-Medicine from Baylor University. In addition to her academic credentials, Dr. Lê is a certified Principal as Instructional Leader and Educational Diagnostician, and holds multiple Texas educator certifications, including in English as a Second Language (ESL), General Education, and Special Education.   A published author and sought-after speaker, Dr. Lê has presented on topics ranging from restorative practices and mental health to school discipline and leadership. She serves on several doctoral dissertation committees and advisory boards, including those at Sam Houston State University and Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges education, public policy, and health, making her a trusted voice across sectors.   In recognition of her impact, Dr. Lê was named the 2023 Distinguished Educator of the Year by Sam Houston State University, where she also served as the honored commencement speaker. While she currently serves as Manager of the Highly Mobile and At-Risk Student Programs Unit at the Texas Education Agency—overseeing initiatives such as the Military-Connected Students Program and Purple Star Campus Designation—her insights on this podcast reflect her personal and professional experiences as an educator.   Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed during this session are solely those of Dr. Ann H. Lê and do not represent the stance of the Texas Education Agency.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s mission is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States.  Listen as Dr. Gregory Leskin, Rio May del Rosario, and Irene Ohsaka discuss trauma events, child traumatic stress, and what support looks like after experiencing a trauma.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes: Resources:   The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) https://www.nctsn.org/   Military and Veteran Families https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/populations-at-risk/military-and-veteran-families   2025 MCEC Global Training Summit https://militarychild.org/event/gts/   Bio: Dr. Gregory Leskin is licensed clinical psychologist and serves as Director, NCTSN Military and Veteran Families and Children Program and the Academy on Child Traumatic Stress at the UCLA/Duke University’s National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. Dr. Leskin directs the NCTSN/DoD Academy on Child Trauma, an online training and social media platform developed to train DoD Family Advocacy Program staff clinical skills related to child trauma and behavioral health prevention for military families and children. Previously, Dr. Leskin has worked as a Clinical Researcher and Director of Clinical Training at the National Center for PTSD, Stanford University and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. He completed a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) post-doctoral fellowship at the National Center for PTSD at the Boston VA Medical Center.  Dr. Leskin has written, consulted, and lectured on a number of clinical topics, including risk factors facing military-connected children, combat-related PTSD, impact of deployment on families and children, and promoting psychological resilience and well-being. He is the primary developer for the MiTi Kids program bringing together Military Informed and Trauma informed Principles for organizations to serve the needs of military and Veteran Families.   Irene Ohsaka, PMP, has over 6 years of experience in training and development. Ms. Ohsaka serves as the Training and Operations Manager for the NCTSN Academy on Child Traumatic Stress (Academy) at the UCLA-Duke University National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. She received her Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology at the University of California, San Diego. In the past, she trained over 13,000 employees and leaders in psychological safety and has experience working in longitudinal clinical research on brain development and child health. In recent years, Ms. Ohsaka has collaborated closely with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth (NCSBY) to develop trainings and resources on problematic sexual behavior in children and youth for military personnel and families.   Rio May del Rosario is a licensed Social Worker with nearly 20 years of experience. Ms. del Rosario serves as the Assistant Program Director for the NCTSN Military and Veteran Families and Children (MVFC) and the NCTSN Academy on Child Traumatic Stress (Academy) at the UCLA-Duke University National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. She received her Bachelor of Art in Psychology and Health: Science, Society, and Policy at Brandeis University and her Master of Social Work at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College-CUNY. Prior to joining the Academy in 2014, Ms. del Rosario held various positions at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office Victim Services Unit in Brooklyn, New York serving victims and survivors of child maltreatment, domestic violence, and sexual assault. She also worked as a sexual assault crisis counselor with the Rape Treatment Center at UCLA Health, Santa Monica Medical Center.

Listen as Dr. Eric Flake, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, discusses Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and how it affects children and teens.  He shares some common misconceptions about ADHD and how parents can best support a child with this diagnosis.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.     Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes: Resources:   Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) https://chadd.org/   Bio: Eric Flake, M.D., is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and retired USAF Colonel. He currently works for the Henry Jackson Foundation and is contracted as the clinical director for a telehealth neurodiversity clinic centered at the Uniformed Services University (USU). He created the Developmental-Behavioral Family Readiness Center for the Department of Defense (DoD) and founded the only DoD Autism Center - JBLM Center for Autism Resource, Education, and Services (CARES). He attended the military medical school (USUHS), graduating in 2001.   Dr. Flake is an Associate Professor at the USU and the University of Washington. He currently serves in the American Academy of Pediatrics and on the science advisory board for the Military Child Education Coalition. Dr. Flake's passion is celebrating the strengths and resiliency of neurodiverse children. He has published numerous articles and presentations regarding childhood resilience, autism, and the psychosocial effects of deployment on children.

Homeschooling offers an opportunity to tailor a child’s education to their individual needs and interests.  For many military families it also provides a learning experience that is flexible and stable.  Listen as Natalie Mack discusses the importance of supporting social-emotional growth at home, while providing an environment for a military child to thrive.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes:   Resources:   Military Homeschoolers Association https://militaryhomeschoolers.org/   HSLDA https://hslda.org/   Bio: Natalie Mack is an author, TEDx speaker, and experienced twenty-three years military home educator. She is known for her words of encouragement and advocacy for homeschooling. She is known for her motto- “Let’s Get It Done” which encourages homeschoolers that you can homeschool to college successfully! Natalie is a retired Navy chaplain’s spouse and mom of five: four college graduates and a 12th grader. ​   She owns Homeschool Natalie Mack which provides homeschool educational consultations and speaking services. Natalie is also the founder of Military Homeschoolers Association which hosts the podcast: Base2Base Military Homeschooling. Additionally, Natalie is the Military Community Outreach Coordinator for HSLDA. ​   Natalie’s published works include the book 101 Tips for Homeschoolers available on Amazon and several magazine articles.      

Student 2 Student (S2S) is a peer-to-peer student-led program that brings military and civilian students together to welcome new students, create a positive environment for all, support educational opportunities, build connections through service, and ease transitions. Listen as Briana discusses how S2S supports students by building a community through connections.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Tinker Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https://www.tinkerspouses.org/.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes: Resources:   MCEC Student 2 Student https://militarychild.org/programs-and-initiatives/student-2-student/   Bio: Briana is a 17-year-old senior at Union Pines High School in Cameron, NC. This is the 6th school she has attended. Although moving is difficult, Briana enjoys meeting new people and making connections.     She has an older brother, Benjamin, and although he plays soccer in Germany, they are very close. Briana plays soccer, competes in indoor and outdoor track and is an active member of the Leo and S2S clubs at Union Pines.    After graduation, Briana will be running track at the University of Kentucky. Her parents are excited for road trips! Briana’s father, Guy, has been an active-duty Army nurse for almost 27 years.       

There are approximately 2.3 million children and youth under the age of 18 living with a wounded, injured, or ill service member and/or veteran.  Caregiving youth show strength, courage and love for their families.  Listen as Audrey tells her story of being a military child and her experience as a caregiver.    This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.     Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes:   Resources:   Caregiving Youth Student Leadership Program https://militarychild.org/programs-and-initiatives/caregiving-youth-student-leadership-program/application-requirements/#top-content   Bio: Audrey is 16 years old and a 10th grade student from San Antonio, Texas. She is a competitive archer and a member of her school’s varsity girls golf team.  She is the youngest of three siblings and had the opportunity to attend the Spring 2025 MCEC Caregiving Youth Student Leadership Program.

In this podcast, you’ll hear my conversation with one of last year’s Call for the Arts Spotlight Winners: Kyler.  Listen as he discusses how creating and producing music has given him the opportunity to express his feelings of growing up a highly-mobile child. Congratulations once again to all the 2024 CFA winners!   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Dyess Spouses’ Club and Mildenhall Spouses’ Association.  To learn more, visit https://www.dyessspousesclub.com/ and https://www.mildenhallspousesassociation.com/.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes: Resources:   Calling all artists, grades K-12: The 2025 Call for the Arts contest is NOW OPEN. Submissions will be accepted through April 30, 2025, and must be postmarked by this day.  Good luck to every budding artist, we look forward to being amazed. See contest guidelines and link to entry form on our website: https://militarychild.org/programs-and-initiatives/the-call-for-the-arts/     Kyler’s 2024 MCEC Global Training Summit Performance https://youtu.be/dsvEmapYLQk?si=NpRhPeO29oNj2Z4W   Bio: Kyler has been a military child for more than a year now.  He is a 17-year-old sophomore, and has two siblings that live with him. His father is in the Army, and he loves him very dearly. One of his favorite hobbies is producing music.  He has been officially producing music for around two years and enjoys every part of it!

We are excited to share this episode on the extraordinary lives of military children who have been recognized as the Operation Homefront 2025 Military Child of the Year® recipients from the National Guard, Space Force, Navy, and Army families. Join us as Emily, Natalia, Mason, and Maribel share stories of resilience and appreciation for growing up in military families.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Maxwell-Gunter Spouses’ Club To learn more, visit https://www.maxwellgunterspousesclub.com/.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas. Show Notes: Resources:   Operation Homefront https://operationhomefront.org/   Military Child of the Year Award Recipients https://operationhomefront.org/military-child-of-the-year/   Bio: Emily, the Operation Homefront 2025 Military Child of the Year for the National Guard is 18, and the daughter of Rebecca and Juan Carlos Baldeosingh, an Army National Guard sergeant who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.  Her stepfather, retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Skip Amaker, served 26 years. His tenure included five deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan.   Emily was 2 when her mother received the news on June 29, 2009, that Juan Carlos was among four North Carolina guardsmen killed in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. He first served in the Marine Corps but transitioned to civilian life and, in 2008, joined the Guard.  Being part of a Gold Star Family has shaped Emily.   “I have grown up with the utmost respect for our country and those who serve to protect our freedom,” she said. “My family has always made it a top-tier priority to stay hopeful and stay positive through everything.”    Natalia, the Operation Homefront 2025 Military Child of the Year for the Space Force, finds opportunity in the challenges that face military families.  Natalia, 17, is the daughter of Maria Tapia and Chief Master Sgt. Jay Harris, who has served in the Air Force and Space Force since 1995. He is currently senior enlisted leader at Vandenberg Space Force Base.   Natalia understands the hardships of changing friend groups and adapting to new cultures after attending ​​12 schools and enduring seven PCS moves that have taken the family to five states and ​​​​one foreign country.  At first, she saw the constant change and upheaval as a disadvantage. However, her perspective changed, and she learned to value resiliency.   “I chose to shift my mindset, and now I appreciate the ​​ 12 supportive schools, ​​12 reliable friend groups, and seven different places that I can proudly call home,” she said. “Every one of these experiences has profoundly influenced my journey, instilling in me a deep appreciation for resilience and the importance of building meaningful connections.”    Mason, the Operation Homefront 2025 Military Child of the Year for the Navy, earned a bachelor’s degree before most of his peers finished high school. He reached the accelerated milestone while balancing academics with caregiving responsibilities at home.  Mason, 19, is the son of Melissa and Chief Warrant Officer Jason Mosher of Marysville, Washington. Jason, a 20-year veteran of the Navy, serves as N6A at Commander Naval Surface Group Northwest and is based at Naval Station Everett.   The family has made four PCS moves, including two to Japan, and Mason’s father has been away on deployments, patrols, and missions at sea for 97 months.   A homeschool student, Mason excels despite challenges of dysgraphia, a learning difference that affects written work and motor skills. He graduated high school at 16 and completed his associate degree from Liberty University four months later. He kept up the pace, and less than two years later graduated cum laude from Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising.    Maribel is Operation Homefront’s 2025 Military Child of the Year for the Army is founding and presiding over a youth volunteering organization when her family was stationed in Japan, serving with the Red Cross, and dedicating herself to improving childhood literacy are just a few of the reasons.  She is 17, lives in Kentucky where her father, Lt. Col. Nicholas Sikes, is stationed at Fort Knox. Her mom, Audrey Sikes, homeschools Maribel and her four younger siblings.   In considering colleges, along with the usual items like location, financial aid, and aligning majors, Maribel must consider her food allergies and whether she can access allergen-free food stations. Her allergies and medical conditions are why she wants to study supply chain management and attend school in the Southeast.  “I want to ensure that other kids will not be worried about where their next meal is coming from because the grocery store is out of the right allergy-friendly foods,” she said. “With a degree in supply chain…I will be able to make a difference in other people’s lives by providing enough safe food for them.”    Full biographies can be found at https://operationhomefront.org/2025-military-child-of-the-year-award-recipients/?internal_medium=internal&internal_source=banner&internal_campaign=thd-oh-25-03-internal-mcoy-traff&internal_content=D2503W61SB&sourceid=1153486.              

Student 2 Student (S2S) is a peer-to-peer student-led program that brings military and civilian students together to welcome new students, create a positive environment for all, support educational opportunities, build connections through service, and ease transitions. Listen as Kiani shares her story, and how S2S became a source of support and comfort beyond her time as a new student.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.     Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes:   Resources:   MCEC Student 2 Student https://militarychild.org/programs-and-initiatives/student-2-student/   Military OneSource https://www.militaryonesource.mil/benefits/confidential-counseling/   988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:  https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988     National Center for PTSD https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/dbhis/national-center-ptsd   U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Mental Health https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/index.asp https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ptsd/next-step.asp https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp   Bio: Kiani is 17, in the 11th grade, and her dad served in the Army.  She has a dog named Daisy and enjoys playing basketball and video games in her free time.  Kiani has moved twice as a military-connected child.  She plans on joining the Army Reserves, participating in ROTC in college, and continuing to play basketball.  

In our latest episode, we shine a light on the exceptional lives of military children who have been recognized as the Operation Homefront 2025 Military Child of the Year recipients from the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force families. Join us as Isabella, Ian, and Sophia share their heartfelt stories of resilience, adventure, and gratitude that come with growing up in military families.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Fort Bliss Spouses’ Association. To learn more, visit https://www.thefbsa.org/.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas. Show Notes: Resources:   Operation Homefront https://operationhomefront.org/   Military Child of the Year Award Recipients https://operationhomefront.org/military-child-of-the-year/   Bio: Isabella, the 2025 Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year® for the Marine Corps, values the unique culture of the military community.    A junior at Swansboro High School in North Carolina, she makes it her mission to welcome new students. Isabella, 17, lives in Hubert, North Carolina, with her mother and stepfather, Amanda and Chris Price. She has four siblings.     “Being a military child who is now permanently in Swansboro, I get to not only relate to these new military kids, but help ease their transition into their new environment,” she said.    Her parents served a combined 42 years in the Marine Corps. Her mother, a staff sergeant, deployed three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and humanitarian missions. She retired after 20 years.     Her father, Gunnery Sgt. Brian J. Smith, retired from service after 22 years and eight deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He was awarded a Purple Heart after suffering injuries in Afghanistan. He died in 2023 at the beginning of Isabella’s sophomore year of high school after being diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic cancer.    “My father who was the epitome of hard work and dedication to his career,” she said. “I strive daily to be as committed as he was in everything I aspire to accomplish.”     Isabella is on track to earn an associate degree before graduating high school. She’s considering several universities in North Carolina for completing a bachelor’s degree before going to law school. She aspires to a career in the political field.     Ian, Operation Homefront’s 2025 Military Child of the Year® for the Coast Guard, has achieved academic success that will help propel him to his goal of becoming a civil engineer, all while mentoring other students.    Ian, 17, is a senior at I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he is currently his class valedictorian, the first Black male student to hold the position in a decade. He will graduate with an associate degree from Tidewater Community College a month before his high school graduation.    Ian is the son of retired Lt. Michael Lindo and Michelle Effatt. Michael served for 27 years active duty in the Coast Guard, deploying for a total of 10 years conducting counter drug and migrant interdictions in the Caribbean, before retiring in 2019. His father lives in Georgia while Ian and his mom live in Virginia.    “My father’s dedication and commitment to serving our country for so many years is something I deeply admire,” Ian said. “His loyalty and sacrifice for our nation have shaped who I am. It’s not just about the uniform; it’s about the values he instilled in me—discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of duty.”   “I’m really passionate about designing systems that can improve lives, especially in underserved areas,” Ian said. “I’ve always believed that infrastructure like roads and bridges plays such a crucial role in connecting people, improving safety, and supporting everyday life.”    Ian is currently deciding among several universities, including Virginia Tech and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, to major in civil engineering.     Sophia, Operation Homefront’s 2025 Military Child of the Year® for the Air Force, has learned to embrace life following the death of her father in 2023 after he served his country for 17 years.    Sophia, now 17, was 15 years old when her father, Master Sgt. Anthony Pinero, passed away tragically… She lives at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany with her mom, Sheena Pinero, an executive services specialist and her younger sister.    As a military child, Sophia experienced 37 months of her father’s deployment and five changes of station. Moving most recently to Germany meant leaving friends and family even farther away than usual, but Sophia responded with resiliency, helping plan trips around Europe with her mom and sister.    “Of all of the bases that I have been stationed at, Ramstein Air Base has been the best,” Sophia said. “I have never felt as connected to the people around me as I do here. Whether it is pitching mail at the post office with active-duty personnel or recognizing volunteer excellence in the community, Ramstein Air Base has always felt like one big, connected family.”    Sophia is considering pursuing a career in engineering or medicine. She wants to attend the United States Air Force Academy or a university with a strong Air Force ROTC program, and she hopes to become an officer in the Air Force.     Full biographies can be found at https://operationhomefront.org/2025-military-child-of-the-year-award-recipients/?internal_medium=internal&internal_source=banner&internal_campaign=thd-oh-25-03-internal-mcoy-traff&internal_content=D2503W61SB&sourceid=1153486.              

The Purple Star School program is designed to help schools respond to the challenges military-connected children face during their school transitions.  Listen to Mr. Hovet Dixon, Jr., and Mr. Jason Fowler discuss how schools, districts, and community organizations are working to support military families.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Alabama State Department of Education State Fund.  Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes: Resources: Alabama State Department of Education- Purple Star Schools https://www.alabamaachieves.org/al-pssp/     South Carolina Department of Education-Purple Star Schools https://ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/student-support/family-community-engagement/family-and-community-engagement/military-information/     Military Child Education Coalition-Purple Star Schools https://militarychild.org/programs-and-initiatives/purple-star-schools/#:~:text=The%20Purple%20Star%20School%20program,workforce%2C%20and%20life%2Dready   The South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs https://scdva.sc.gov/   Bio: Hovet Lee Dixon, Jr. currently serves as a high school principal in Huntsville, Alabama. He is a proud graduate of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University several times over, holding degrees in Elementary Education and Education Administration and Supervision. Principal Dixon has almost 25 years of teaching and leadership experience collectively, and prides himself on advocating for the communities he serves.    In his capacity as principal, Principal Dixon has earned various recognitions on the local, state, and national levels for his commitment to his school community and progressions, having most recently been named the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators District X's Outstanding Elementary Administrator of the Year. Much of his focus has entailed providing a warm and inviting learning environment for our military families and communities. Principal Dixon values his longstanding partnership with MCEC.    He has been married to a fellow educator for 24 years and is the father of two adult daughters and a high school son. Their pride and joy is their American Bully named Ace.      Jason Fowler (Jay) joined the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs in October of 2022 as the Military Affairs Coordinator. Jason retired from the South Carolina Army National Guard AGR program in February 2018 after 25 years of service to the country, culminating as the First Sergeant of the 43rd Civil Support Team (SCARNG).    Jason served both on active duty in the Army and dedicated almost 15 years of his career to assist Federal, State, Local, and Tribal authorities as a member of the South Carolina Army National Guard’s highly distinguished and decorated 43rd Civil Support Team (CST). He served on the National CST Training Working Group as the Personnel, Senior Enlisted Advisor and was the quarterly Senior Enlisted speaker for the CST Pre-Command Course in Washington DC. Upon retirement he has spent much of his time as a contractor for L2 Defense Group, training with and evaluating the CSTs nationwide alongside US Army North.   Assigned to the Military Affairs Division at SCDVA, Jason works on Quality-of-Life Issues such as Military Child Education, Military Child Care, Military Spouse Employment and provides Base Support to the military installations that are located in South Carolina and Fort Eisenhower just across the state line. The Military Affairs Division strives to sustain and enhance the military presence in South Carolina.   Jason is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts History program at Arizona State University and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from American Military University in Homeland Security. Jason is a member of several Veterans’ based organizations and enjoys volunteer work in his community.  

In this podcast, you’ll hear my conversation with three of last year’s Call for the Arts Middle School Winners: Claire, Amaris, and Annabelle.  Listen as they discuss their beautiful works of art as an expression of their military experiences. Congratulations once again to all the 2024 CFA winners!   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Randolph Spouses’ Club.  To learn more, visit https://www.randolphspousesclub.com/.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes:   Resources:   Calling all artists, grades K-12: The 2025 Call for the Arts contest is NOW OPEN. Submissions will be accepted through April 30, 2025.  Good luck to every budding artist, we look forward to being amazed. See contest guidelines and link to entry form on our website: https://militarychild.org/programs-and-initiatives/the-call-for-the-arts/   Bio: Claire is 13 years old and currently in 8th grade.  She stays busy with figure skating, cross country and track, and Civil Air Patrol.  She is the second of four children born to Air Force parents.  She has moved 6 times with another move on the horizon in Summer 2025.   Amaris is in 8th grade, and her dad serves in the Army.   Annabelle is now 15 years old and in the 9th grade. Her father is an Air Defense Officer in the Army. She has two younger siblings, Audrey and Joey. Annabelle also has two “fur brothers”, Rusty and Archie. She is a competitive swimmer and keeps busy with both high school and year-round club swimming. She has moved 7 times thus far while her father has been active duty.