Building Military Communities: Connection Strategies for Frequently Relocating Families with Meg & Brett Reichert
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
09/23/24
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Join host Olivia Wahl as she sits down with Meg and Brett Reichert, a military family navigating the unique challenges and unexpected joys of frequent relocation. In this heartfelt episode of Schoolutions: Coaching & Teaching Strategies, the Reicherts open up about:
- The realities of moving 6-9 times during a child's K-12 education
- Strategies for helping kids build friendships across distances
- Balancing career purpose with family needs
- Adapting parenting styles to different communities
- Finding stability amidst constant change
Meg, a health and wellness coach, and Brett, an Army officer pursuing a Ph.D., share candid insights on raising two young boys while embracing a nomadic lifestyle. Their story illuminates the resilience of military families and offers valuable perspectives on creating "home" wherever you land. Whether you're a military family yourself or simply curious about this unique way of life, this episode provides an intimate look at the sacrifices, adventures, and unexpected gifts of frequently uprooting your family for service.
Meg and Brett offer several strategies for managing life as a military family with frequent moves:
- Community Building:
- Joining local mom's Facebook groups to gather information about the new area
- Researching and enrolling in summer camps for kids before moving
- Joining gyms or fitness groups to meet like-minded people and build community
- Maintaining Connections:
- Using social media to stay in touch with friends from previous locations
- Setting up video game accounts for kids to play with distant family members and friends
- Encouraging pen pal relationships for children
- Education and Transition:
- Researching school districts and academic standards before moving
- Communicating with teachers about the unique needs of military children
- Focusing on the quality of education and community fit rather than just test scores
- Home Setup:
- Prioritizing setting up the children's rooms quickly to provide a sense of familiarity and stability
- Creating a "home base" feeling in each new location
- Emotional Support:
- Framing moves as adventures to help children view them positively
- Having open conversations about the challenges and benefits of their lifestyle
- Encouraging acceptance and adaptability in different communities
- Continuity in Interests:
- Researching opportunities to continue children's hobbies in new locations (e.g., horseback riding for their son)
- Parenting Approach:
- Adapting parenting styles to fit into new communities while maintaining core family values
- Balancing work commitments with family time (e.g., Brett consistently putting the kids to bed)
- Preparing for Moves:
- Involving children in discussions about potential future locations
- Reflecting on positive aspects of previous homes to create excitement for new possibilities
These strategies focus on maintaining stability, building connections, and fostering resilience in both parents and children as they navigate frequent relocations.
#MilitaryFamily #MilKids #ArmyLife #FrequentMoves #MilitarySpouse #ParentingOnTheMove #ResilienceInKids #MilitaryCommunity #ServiceAndSacrifice #AdventureLifestyle #BalancingCareerAndFamily #MakingFriendsOnTheGo #EducationAcrossBorders #MilitaryChildEducation #AdaptableKids #FamilyResilience #ServeAndParent
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Previous Episode
In this episode of Season 4, Episode 2, I welcome back Morgan Davis, a coach with Jeffco Public Schools in Colorado. Join us as Morgan dives into her insightful strategies for supporting teachers and fostering a thriving classroom environment. 🏫
Morgan shares her approach to starting the school year strong by visiting every classroom and integrating herself as a coach into the daily life of the school. Discover how she uses research-based methods to identify strengths and build on them, ensuring teachers feel supported rather than evaluated. 📚✨
In this episode, you'll learn about:
- Morgan's Classroom Visits: How she makes initial visits meaningful and non-evaluative.
- The Role of Coaching: Balancing support and observation without adding to teacher stress.
- Confidentiality and Transparency: How Morgan maintains trust while navigating her supportive role as a coach separate from the evaluative role of administrators.
- Effective Communication: Strategies for providing feedback that truly supports teacher growth and development.
Plus, get a glimpse into Morgan’s successful integration of new resources and how she bridges the gap between teachers and caregivers. Whether you’re a coach, teacher, or administrator, you’ll find valuable insights to enhance your practice and support your team.
✨Check Out Morgan’s Recommended Resources to Support Your Classroom Visits:
- Blogs: Coach Visits & Coaches Read the Room, Too!
- Morgan’s Beginning of the Year Context Letter to Teachers
- Learning Forward's 4Ts of Confidentiality
- Past Schoolutions Episodes:
📣Episode Mentions:
- Jim Knight & Podcast Episode with Haesun Moon, PhD
- Elena Aguilar
- Haesun Moon, PhD, author of Coaching A to Z: The Extraordinary Use of Ordinary Words
- Sam Bennett
#EducationPodcast #CoachingStrategies #ClassroomManagement #TeachingTips #EducationalLeadership #TeacherSupport #ProfessionalDevelopment #ClassroomVisits #TeachingResources #FlexibleTeaching #CoachingInEducation #TeacherEngagement #EducationInnovation #LearningEnvironments #EdChat #TeacherCommunity #InstructionalCoaching #EducationExcellence #TeacherGrowth #ClassroomDynamics #TeacherProfessionalGrowth #ClassroomDynamics #TeachingTips #ParallelPractice #Schoolutions #MorganDavis #MorganDavisConsulting #OliviaWahl
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Next Episode
In this episode of Schoolutions, host Olivia Wahl engages in a thought-provoking conversation with educators Nawal Qarooni and Sarah Schlessinger, Ed.D., about the crucial impact of language in educational settings. Drawing from their ASCD article Consider Your Words, they discuss:
- The importance of mindful language when discussing students and families
- Strategies for avoiding harmful labels and preconceived notions
- Practical steps for educators to reflect on and improve their use of language
- The role of coaches in facilitating these important conversations
Key topics include:
- Critical disability studies and linguistic justice in education
- Techniques for reframing discussions about student abilities and needs
- Engaging families as experts on their children
- Building trust and vulnerability in coaching relationships
This episode offers valuable strategies for teachers, coaches, and administrators looking to create more inclusive and supportive learning environments through thoughtful communication.
Featuring research insights from Dr. Sami Schalk, Dr. Subini Ancy Annamma, and Dr. April Baker-Bell, this conversation provides both theoretical grounding and practical advice for educators at all levels.
✨Check Out Nawal and Sarah’s Recommended Researchers & Resources:
- Dr. Sami Schalk, who wrote Bodyminds Reimagined and Black Disability Politics
- Dr. Subini Ancy Annamma, who was part of the team that coined DisCrit as a term, particularly this piece on DisCrit Classroom Ecology
- Dr. April Baker-Bell's Black Linguistic Justice
- The Resilient Teacher: Creating Positive Change through Inclusive Classrooms, authored by Sarah L. Schlessinger, collection edited by Janise Hurtig
📣More Episode Mentions:
- S3E25: Nourishing Caregiver Collaborations
- Nawal’s book, Nourishing Caregiver Collaborations: Elevating Home Experiences and Classroom Practices for Collective Care
- S4 E2: The Art of the Classroom Visit: Insights from Morgan Davis on Effective Coaching Practices
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
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