Service to Military Children Recognized by School Board

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Solomon Cook
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The 325th Mission Support Group commander and Tyndall representatives received the Military Child Education Coalition-Pete Taylor Partnership Award Aug. 11 at a Bay District School Board meeting.

Colonel Ronald Pieri, 325th MSG commander and others received praise on behalf of Tyndall for the joint efforts between Tyndall, Naval Support Activity Panama City, and Bay District Schools, Florida.

"This annual award encourages and applauds the outstanding partnerships formed between military installations and school districts that serve military children," said Tamara Turnmeyer, 325th Fighter Wing school liaison officer. "Award winners are selected from schools and military installations around the world by the Military Child Education Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the transition and educational issues affecting the highly-mobile  military child."

The Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award was created in 2004 to recognize the work of former MCEC Chairman Lieutenant General (Ret.) Pete Taylor in assisting the  military child.  The award is designed to foster the sharing of lessons learned and to recognize Gen. Taylor's long-held belief that goodness starts at the local level, Turnmeyer added.

The award and school board recognition were the result of a submission  to MCEC highlighting joint programs conducted between Tyndall, Bay District Schools and NSA- Panama City.

"The Bay Area Education Alliance is a strong partnership that is multi-faceted and mutually supportive in its purpose to enhance the educational experience/opportunities for over 2,000 military affiliated students and their families," Turnmeyer said. "The partnership members are all strongly committed to exceptional service to military families, military-dependent students, to students in the broader community and to those in education who serve them.  This partnership increased the number of programs and opportunities to both military and non-military students."

Turnmeyer was not alone in her sentiments about the award.

"Innovation and teamwork are vital to our success -- and that includes our dedicated partners at the Bay County School District and Naval Support Activity Panama City," said Pieri. "Because of this partnership and cooperation, we are able to meet military specific dependent requirements and improve on the quality education provided to our next generation.  This is just one more example of Team Tyndall and Bay County Schools working together for the good of the community."

To learn more about the Military Child Education Coalition go to: http://www.militarychild.org/