Military forms pact with teachers

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Wood
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Veteran and new teachers at the RAF Lakenheath and Feltwell schools were welcomed back recently when Department of Defense Dependents Schools employees received an orientation at the Eagles' Landing Officers' Club with a 'United in Education' theme.

The orientation was designed to show support for DoDDS employees and inform them of services available on RAFs Lakenheath, Feltwell and Mildenhall.

The event began with Col. Cassie Barlow, 48th Mission Support Group commander, thanking the teachers for their service.

"Our mission is to provide combat power downrange to meet our nation's objectives," she said. "Each and every one of you contributes to that mission. Each and every one of you provides a very important service to this wing, and we appreciate you."

Col. Jay Silveria, 48th Fighter Wing commander, also expressed his gratitude to the employees for the role they play in the success of the wing and offered an avenue for continued growth between the schools and the wing.

"The people on this base go to work with the peace of mind of knowing their children are getting a quality education in a great learning atmosphere where they can thrive and grow," he said. "Just name the profession, and it is somewhere in this fence line; a resource to assist you in growing and mentoring the kids."

He also answered questions and provided information about the flying mission, training with the RAF, construction projects and the deployment schedule.

This year's orientation was one of the best, according to Mrs. Vanda Waller, a Spanish teacher here who has not missed an orientation held in her seven years in the United Kingdom.

"It is very valuable to hear information directly from the source and meet the leadership that is here to support you," she added. "Knowing when parents are deploying is very helpful to understand what may be affecting a child we are teaching."


Mr. Mako, a new DoDDS U.K. employee and high school science and math teacher, was surprised with the amount of information given. "It was very helpful to learn about the base and its mission. I feel this is a very supporting community."

The orientation ended with the presentation of "United in Education" coins, an idea of Ms. Lisa Thompson, 48th Fighter Wing school liaison officer and coordinator of the event, to bring a military tradition to the DoDDS community. The coins designed by her 4- and 7-year-old children are to bring camaraderie to the communities, to help people feel they are part of an organization and to show a partnership in providing the best education for our children.