Reservist Stays in Touch With Students

By Air Force Senior Airman David Dobrydney
Special to American Forces Press Service

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 congressmen or school superintendents," Adams said. "It's a good way for them to learn writing skills and work on their communication skills."

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."

(Senior Airman David Dobrydney serves with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.)