2014 PETE TAYLOR PARTNERSHIP OF EXCELLENCE AWARD - Military Child Education Coalition®

EXEMPLARY PARTNERSHIP AWARD - HIGHER EDUCATION: Teaching, Education, and Advocacy for Military Students (TEAMS)

Partners: Old Dominion University, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, Darden College of Education, Virginia Beach City Public School, Navy School Liaison Officers, and Newport News City Public Schools

The Teaching, Education, and Advocacy for Military Students (TEAMS) initiative in the Darden College of Education at Old Dominion University (ODU) is a multidisciplinary effort committed to the development of educators who are highly skilled in working with P-12 students from military families. TEAMS collaborates with various departments within ODU and other institutions of higher education concerned with the support of military children and their families. TEAMS also works with the military, local and national military service organizations, and the school divisions throughout the Tidewater area, home to several major military installations representing multiple braches of the Armed Forces. The purpose of this collaboration is to develop models to educate school professionals who will develop, lead, and support initiatives that serve to enhance academic, social, and emotional outcomes for military students.

The Military Child and Families Education graduate certificate program is one example of pre-service and in-service education. The program provides specialized expertise to educators, mental health professionals, and other service providers in meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of military-connected students. The program integrates courses and service learning work by engaging participants in building skills that enable them to meet the needs of military-connected students and families.

The TEAMS initiative and graduate certificate service delivery plans have enabled 20 schools and two divisions to create programs that directly benefit military-connected students. Those programs include BRATS clubs, MCEC Student 2 Student clubs, and testing and transition programs that increase effective placement for transitioning students.