Retired Naval Officer and Iwakuni Teacher Reflects on Giving Back to the Military"
By Matthew Burkewell
Stars and Stripes
Published: May 21, 2011
SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — The military had given her everything — multiple college degrees, world travel, great benefits and a head start in life.
Two years ago, the former Navy lieutenant and an accomplished artist, author, and stateside teacher decided it was time to give something back.
Miss Q put her personal ambitions on hold after being selected to teach visual arts at the American Japan High School, Iwakuni, Japan. There, she hoped to share her life experiences and reach out to children struggling with military life.
“Deep down I felt it was another excellent opportunity to teach overseas, but this time it was different,” she said, having been on a waiting list since 2002 to teach in the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DODDS), a military school system. “The environment was something I was comfortable with, and I felt I was still contributing to the military.”
On Monday, she will read one of her children's books she authored on endangered animals to elementary students at Iwakuni as part of a "Read Across America" campaign.
However, it was to be one of the last times the art teacher reads to Iwakuni students, as she'll be saying goodbye to the area in June when her contract ends and to attend personal affairs.
“I enjoy the kids,” the affable teacher said by phone last week. “They’re a lot of fun. It’s a small school but they have really good students. I feel sad that I’m leaving here but I have some big priorities at home.”
As her military career wrapped up, the officer entered the Troops to Teachers program, which offers stipends to members of the military who plan to transition into a teaching career. She started teaching in the U.S. and soon traveled the world, visiting more than 50 countries, teaching in places like England and China. Her travels formed the basis for two coffee table books of her photography and for two children books, highlighting survival stories of endangered species.
The accomplished teacher felt it was time to get back to her military roots and share her knowledge.
“Every day, I stand up and do the pledge, and I feel like I’m back in the Navy again,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed it.” She noted that she helps military children deal with depression and the urge to lash out by keeping them interested and busy. The educator also offers art clubs after school at no expense.
“I believe Josie has a special ability to relate to students very well,” said a parent of two daughters who have both attended her classes. “[My daughters’] discovery of art also enabled them to focus better in their school work as it gave them more motivation. ... We will surely miss her.” His 15-year-old daughter, agreed. “Ms. Q helped me discover art and techniques of applying imagination to my art work,” the 9th-grader said. “I’ll miss her, but I’m sure she will also help other students to discover art.”
Parents also credited the art teachder with helping children who are down because of a deployment, a fact not lost on the school’s administration.
The school's principal, said, “She understands the life of a military family and the challenges our kids face. She uses art as a tool to help kids deal with deployment and the challenges of a military child. It’s going to be tough to find an individual with the expertise and the level of care she is able to provide our kids.”
Article by Stars and Stripes reporter:
Tburkellm@pstripes.osd.mil
“I never teach my pupils, I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.”
Albert Einstein
Josie with Kazak elementary school librarians gladly receiving her donated children's books for their library.