Building Bridges Between Schools and Military Families
The Schools Foundation serves as the bridge among education and business and the community, working to ensure adequate funding and to provide academic program support. Our most recent project, still under construction but nearing completion, is a bridge to the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC). We know that the unique needs of military children often mirror the needs of children in families that move across town or across the country. Thanks to Mike Gillespie and the Madison County Commission, local schools now have access to multiple MCEC programs, such as professional development for teachers.
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) utilizes a comprehensive approach to reach children through all avenues, from their families to their schools to their communities and military installations. Thoughtfully developed by the MCEC, the proven and well-researched model is responsive to the development and situational needs of military-connected children world-wide. Programs are attuned to an ever-increasing need for programs that foster a compassionate understanding and encourage a caring environment- for the present and for the long term.
Mike Gillespie, Chairman of the Madison County Commission, provided funding for a three year membership to MCEC for all three local public school systems, ensuring that the programs and services of MCEC are available to teachers and students. As members of MCEC, a representative from each school system will be able to attend the national conference free of charge.
To read more about MCEC and its programs, visit: http://www.militarychild.org To read a Huntsville Times article about the MCEC program, "Student to Student" at Columbia High School, click here. Pictured above: Colonel Robert Pastorelli, Redstone Arsenal Garrison Commander and his education staff meet with the local MCEC steering committee to review plans for upcoming programs for students, parents, and teachers. Front, L to R: Nancy Jones, Alice Myles, Barbara Williams, Back, L to R: Eula Battle, Colonel Pastorelli, Dr. Julie Finley, Derrick Gould Not pictured: Debbie Beaupre, Virginia Griffith, Margie Williams, Alice Myles, and Anna Pastorelli
