Every student is unique, but children with parents in the military can face challenges their peers will not understand. At Northeast Elementary School, Naval Air Station Commanding Officer Capt. Luke Davis on Tuesday recognized teacher Courtney Ashcraft with the Teacher Salute award for her efforts helping military students feel welcome and settle into their new education setting.

 

Davis said it can be a challenge for children to start over at a new school and having teachers who are willing to lend that extra help makes a huge difference. That is why NAS Meridian believes it is important to recognize local teachers for their efforts.

 

“It’s very important to us because we have so many families coming in from around the world, and just to enter into a new school is a stressful thing for kids, and we just appreciate the teachers that make it an easy transition,” he said.

 

Ashcraft, who works as Northeast Elementary’s gifted teacher, said she enjoyed having an opportunity to give something back to military families for what they go through in military service.

 

“I am amazed and shocked at this, but I truly appreciate all our military families do for us, and I’m glad I can return that by helping those students,” she said.

 

Northeast elementary, middle and high schools, along with all three West Lauderdale schools, Clarkdale high and elementary and Southeast high and middle schools, all participate in the Military Star School Program, which was created to help students from military families. The program was created in February 2021 by Gov. Tate Reeves.

 

Lauderdale County School District’s participation in the Military Star School Program shows its commitment to supporting military families including those at NAS Meridian, Davis said.

 

“Opting into the military star school system, it’s a great thing and definitely and indication that you’re here to support the military families,” he said.

 

Northeast Elementary Principal Anita Wansley, who nominated Ashcraft for the award, said Ashcraft takes time to not only know her students but understand their unique situations and incorporate their experiences into her lessons.

 

“She is one in her gifted classes, who really takes time to get to know her students, build those relationships and understands their family dynamics, and for some of her students that involves being a military family,” she said. “And so she has been very attuned to their needs and being able to bring in what they come to school with, all of their experiences from living all over the world.”

 

In addition to incorporating her students’ experiences into her lesson plans, Wansley said Ashcraft is also there to support her students through the emotional impacts being a military child can bring, such as having to move or change schools in the middle of the year.

 

“So she has been a support both in their academics and incorporating all that they bring, as well as really watching and making sure they are supported in the emotional ways that they need to be supported,” she aid.