Reservist Stays In Touch With Students
(December 5, 2009) |
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Air Force Master Sgt. Linda
Adams, 746th Aircraft Maintenance Unit support
section noncommissioned officer in charge, as
well as an elementary school teacher, uses a
blog to communicate with students in Mississippi
during her deployment in Southwest Asia, Nov.
24, 2009. In addition to being an Air Force
reservist, Adams is a teacher at Kate Shepard
Elementary in Mobile, Ala. She is deployed from
Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jason W.
Edwards |
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SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 1, 2009 – Air Force Master Sgt. Linda
Adams has been an elementary school teacher for the past
four years.
After just one day on the job in the current school year,
however, she departed on a four-month deployment to
Southwest Asia with her Air Force Reserve unit from Keesler
Air Force Base, Miss.
"I was able to say hi to my new class, and then I was off,"
said Adams, the 746th Aircraft Maintenance Unit support
section noncommissioned officer in charge.
But this teacher has bridged the distance by keeping up with
her students online. Adams' school, Kate Shepard Elementary
in Mobile, Ala., maintains a blog site where students can
write to and speak with local officials.
"They talk to different people like |
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congressmen or school superintendents," Adams
said. "It's a good way for them to learn writing
skills and work on their communication skills." |
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When Adams left for deployment, school officials invited her
to join the site. "We are so excited that Ms. Adams is
sharing her experiences with our students," said Michelle
Dumas, the school principal. "Communicating through the blog
allows students to utilize technology and expand their
global awareness."
Since her arrival in Southwest Asia, Adams said, students
have been sending her e-mails, pictures and letters. "I try
my best to answer all of them," she said.
Some students have told her about relatives who serve in the
armed forces. For those who don't have military family
members, Adams has taken the opportunity to not only help
with academic questions, but also to educate her students
about the Air Force and its mission.
"The boys will ask questions like, 'what kind of gun do you
have?' or 'do you drive a tank?'" Adams said.
"They think of the Air Force and they think of planes, so
I'm always asked if I'm a pilot," she said. "I tell the kids
not everyone is a pilot and I talk to them about my job as
an aircraft mechanic along with other careers in the Air
Force."
Adams said her students also often ask about life in
Southwest Asia. "They've asked about the country, what it
looks like, and what they have here," she said. "I tell them
there are malls, sports and music here just like at home. I
sent a picture of me riding a camel and they were real
excited about that."
Previously, Adams taught fifth-grade students. This year,
she was assigned to a kindergarten class.
"Knowing I had to deploy, I didn't even tell them I was
their teacher because I didn't want to worry them," she
said. "They had more important things to think about than
their teacher being gone for four months." However, she
recently sent her new class a video of her reading a
storybook to them.
"The school's principal asked me to interact with them while
here because when I come home, they won't be new students
anymore," she said. "I don't want them to wonder who I am
when I walk in."
In the meantime, her former students and other students are
enjoying the opportunity to communicate with her.
"We've learned a lot about Ms. Adams' job in the Air Force
by talking to her on the blog," said Rueben, a fourth grade
student. "I've learned that not everyone in the Air Force is
a pilot and carries a gun."
"We love to keep in touch with Ms. Adams on the blog because
we really miss her," said Ebony, another fourth grader. "Our
entire school is proud of her defending our country, but we
can't wait for her to come back home to teaching." | |
By USAF Sr. Airman David Dobrydney
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Special to
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2009
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