MCEC Podcast

We are chatting with CEO Drew Bartkiewicz of Copeify, an organization that promotes physical and mental wellbeing in young people. Copeify's app not only develops character traits, such as trustworthiness and accountability it also reinforces life skills while being 100% profile free. "We need to help our young adults move from self-repair to self-care". Show Notes: Drew Bartkiewicz - CEO & Channe...

In our month-long series dedicated to recognizing and honoring black history month, MCEC is joining our country in highlighting members of our extensive community of leaders under the theme “Honoring the Past and Shaping the Future”. Our guest on this week’s episode is Amanda Woodyard MCEC Director of Community Engagement & Outreach for the National Capital Region. Check out the Military Parent Ad...

In our month-long series dedicated to recognizing and honoring black history month, MCEC is joining our country in highlighting members of our extensive community of leaders under the theme “Honoring the Past and Shaping the Future”. Our guest on this week’s episode is Neal Sanders Military Family Liaison and DoDEA Project Manager at Pebble Hills High School in Socorro Independent School District....

In our month-long series dedicated to recognizing and honoring black history month, MCEC is joining our country in highlighting members of our extensive community of leaders under the theme “Honoring the Past and Shaping the Future”. Our guest on this week’s episode is MCEC Chairman of the Board, Retired Admiral Cecil D. Haney.   Do you want to know more about today’s guest? Check out our website...

We are fortunate to have Michelle Norman, founder and director of Partners in Promise, back to discuss the Navy EFMP three-year pilot program to expand support for service members enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program. Hear why she's so passionate about special education resources and how this program can have a tremendous impact on all military families.   Show Notes: Link to Last wee...

Michelle Norman, Founder & Executive Director, and Jennifer Barnhill Chief Operating Officer, of Partners in PROMISE talk about the Special Education and Military Families issue paper and the “way forward” in protecting the rights of military children in special education. This podcast has been made possible thanks to Hickam OSC. Show Notes: Military Child Education Coalition Issue Paper: Special...

It's college scholarship season and it can be an overwhelming time for parents and students. Podcast host, Susan Sellers and Happy Garner, Master Parent Educator from the MCEC webinar team, share their experiences. They discuss how to start the scholarship search as well as helpful resources and lessons learned.  This podcast has been made possible thanks to the generous support provided by Milita...

No matter where you are located in the world the MCEC MSC’s, Sue Lopez and Mark Patton, can help with real-world situations and provide assistance in overcoming transitional barriers associated with the military lifestyle. Contact an MSC today at: Website: militarychild.org/contact Phone: (254) 953-1923 ext 1146 email: msc@militarychild.org This podcast has been made possible thanks to the generou...

Deputy Director of the National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL), Dr. Sarah Sayko, seeks to improve awareness about evidence-based literacy information by sharing free resources for improving reading outcomes for both children with dyslexia and for those who are at-risk for literacy-related disabilities.   Show Notes: What Do We Mean By Evidence-based? Route to Reading: Map it Out Route to Read...

Linda tells her story from Student 2 Student® in Harker Heights High School to Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.  Linda shares stories of empathy, finding herself and helping others belong at one of Texas’s largest universities. “I knew how it felt not to belong and because I did I wanted to help provide that sense of belonging to others.” Students MCEC provides support to military-c...

Sierra shares her journey from Washington State to Ukraine and back.  She explains how the disappointment of cancelled summer 2020 plans taught her what is truly important.   Then “My journey in becoming a part of Student 2 Student started when I was ten and went to the Military Child Education Conference in Washington, D.C. with my active duty Air Force dad.”  Now“It is great to do things in big...

Matthew Wilson, the Executive Director of Oasis Youth Center, talks about how this center and others like it across the country transform the lives of queer youth by creating a safe place ​to ​learn, connect, and thrive.  Envisioning a world where queer youth are valued in the community, they are committed to creating an affirming space for LGBTQ youth to be proud of who they are.  http://www.oasi...

Bailey Shaw shares her amazing journey from Student 2 Student® at Falcon High School in Colorado Springs to college at Arizona State University leading to her ambition and drive to be a teacher and hopefully future Student to Student Sponsor. She explains how she reached back through the core values learned in her S2S club and the Frances Hesselbein Student Leadership Program to help her transitio...

"Breathe through the process" suggests one veteran-connected college student to families retiring from the military. As the daughter of a recently retired Army Officer, Hannah understands transition can be unpredictable and concerning. Listen in as we talk together about how she's handling this new chapter in her life as the child of a new retiree.   This podcast has been made possible thanks to t...

Chief guardian and spokesperson of United Through Reading, CEO Dr. Sally Ann Zoll shares how the organization is finding ways to support connections during COVID-19.  In this episode hear more about their new initiative Readiness 365 that uses reading to bolster family readiness. This podcast has been made possible thanks to the generous support provided by Fort Wainwright Community Spouses’ Club....

Listen with us as Jenny Lynne Stroup shares her family’s experience with mental health and military life. She discusses the importance of changing the narrative when it comes to discussing mental health and how she calls her experience Post Traumatic Growth. "Sometimes it just takes one friend holding your hand to take the first step to help" Jenny Lynne is the Outreach Coordinator for the Cohen C...

Today we discuss some of the stressors our children are experiencing today with remote learning with licensed clinician social worker, Marla Monk. On staff at the Stephen A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Veterans Village of San Diego, Marla works with military families on developing various coping techniques not only for parents but also for military children.  As a military spouse herself, Marl...

Please join us as we chat with Dr. Kim Hunt, Senior Research Manager at Blue Star Families, about their annual military family lifestyle survey. Dr. Hunt shares important topics identified in last year's survey, how they affect our military community and also highlights the focus and importance of completing this year's survey.   Show Notes: The 2020 Military Family Lifestyle Survey is now open un...

The President and CEO of MCEC, Dr. Rebecca Porter, and Helen Mowers, Instructional Systems Design Manager, share the impact and key findings from the Military Kids NOW 2020 Education Survey, as well as plans for how MCEC will continue to listen to the voices of the military-connected students, parents, and professionals who serve them. To see the full report visit our website at: militarychild.org...

Brett Marciel Chief Communications Officer at The Jason Foundation shares startling statistics, strategies and resources on suicide prevention that every adult with a child in their life will want to hear.  Show Notes: https://jasonfoundation.com/ The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is an educational organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. JFI believes that awareness...

Deonte Mayfield shares his journey from Student 2 Student® to college leading to his own military career. “Leadership is service” is a guiding force for Deonte as he explains how he learned discipline and focus through challenges and missteps. Frances Hesslebein Student Leadership Program (FHSLP) is a highly selective leader development workshop for exemplary S2S students. This week-long experienc...

With four children who all chose to serve in some capacity, Major General (Ret) Robert Ivany, Ph. D. discusses the value of service by sharing about his own live experiences with his family during his 34-year Army career.  This podcast has been made possible thanks to the generous support provided by Mountain Post Spouses Club.

Co-founder of BLOOM, Elena, joins MCEC Student Programs Tracy Brown for a conversation about an online space she created with her best friend Matthew where military kids can connect and feel empowered.  BLOOM is a website designed for teens by teens highlighting military life, moving, people and experiences, offering different perspectives with articles, media and art. BLOOM Empowering the Militar...

Julian Guerrero Jr. shares the impact of MCEC S2S, lessons learned along the way, and a message to educators on the impact they have in a student’s life.  In 2009, Julian was an S2S student.  He attended MCEC® Frances Hesselbein Student Leadership Program™ and the National Training Seminar.  He attended the University of Oklahoma.  Now Julian is serving as the Executive Director of American Indian...

We have a bonus episode for our loyal followers and subscribers.  Dr. Stephen Cozza, Associate Director for the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress Child and Family Programs and Professor of Psychiatry Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, answers questions related to COVID-19 from our audience, providing valuable insight and reassurance during these challenging times. Registe...