Partnerships Recognized at MCEC Global Training Summit

HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas — The Military Child Education Coalition® announced the winners of the organization’s annual 2023 Lt. Gen. (Ret) H.G. “Pete” Taylor Partnership of Excellence Awards™ today during the MCEC Global Training Summit. Partnerships serving Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines families and children were recognized.

The annual award, now in its 19th year, encourages and reflects the outstanding partnerships formed between military installations and school districts that serve military- and veteran-connected children.  Each year, winning partnerships are selected from schools and military instillations around the world who celebrate the military child in exceptional and sustainable ways. 

“On behalf of Lt. Gen. Taylor, congratulations to this year’s winners who reflect the best of our military communities and serve as an example for others to emulate,” said MCEC President and CEO Dr. Becky Porter. “Thank you for your initiative, creativity, selfless service, and dedication to others. Your success continues the legacy of those before you and reinforces Lt. Gen. Taylor’s belief that goodness starts at the local level.”

The 2023 Lt. Gen. (Ret) H.G. “Pete” Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award winners are:

OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Mission Possible – Mission Ready – Mission INC! – Texas and Alabama

Fort Cavazos, Killeen Independent School District (ISD), Madison City Schools District, Meadows Elementary School, Liberty Middle School, Killeen ISD Technology Services, and 2/82 Field Artillery 1 Cavalry Division.

Mission Possible – Mission Ready – Mission INC (Imagine Nationwide Creativity)! gave everyone ownership and a voice. Its vision focused on giving students the opportunity to express themselves, to find their leadership skills from within, and to give them more prospects to expand their knowledge base and experience a twist in concepts that would excite and challenge them. Activities such as Dream Your Home, STEM races, TexAlabama book studies, and Free Little Libraries connected Adopt-A-School Soldiers and Technology Services with elementary and middle school students. Participating in these activities resulted in an even stronger bond between Meadows Elementary School and Liberty Middle School.

EXEMPLARY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Strengthening Military & Community Partnerships for Educational Excellence – Montana

Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls Public Schools, and Great Falls Chamber of Commerce

Some of the positive outcomes from this partnership are: establishing a PreK classroom to support 18 military children living on the installation, hosting Malmstrom’s first PreK-12 Education Summit, implementation of Adopt-a-School program, re-establishment of Student2Student programs post-COVID, initiation of Job Shadow/Internship programs for high school students at Malmstrom, the creation of World of Works (WoW) career expo, collaboration of partners in Malmstrom Works advertising campaign, increased Purple Star Schools, the creation of Purple Star Champion Award, establishing academic informational sessions for newly arrived military students and families, participation in the NMSI Grant, the implementation of teacher professional development opportunities focusing on support of military children and families, and the establishment of new teacher license reciprocity rules for military spouses in the state of Montana.

RECOGNIZED COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Bay Area Education Alliance – Florida

Naval Support Activity Panama City, Tyndall Air Force Base, Bay District Schools, Florida State University Panama City, and Gulf Coast State College

The accomplished growth and success of our community STEM programs across our school district is thanks to the help and support of NSA Panama City, Tyndall AFB, Florida State University-Panama City and Gulf Coast State College. These programs have helped our community develop STEM Camps, STEM in a Box programs, CTE Cyber Security certification to name a few. NSA Panama City community outreach with “Touch a Truck” & Career Day allowed our area youth to dream big and plan for their futures. Schools & community tours of both bases show the reach, influence, and most definitely the possibilities for our students. 

OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM/PROJECT

“A Day in the Life… Activity Fair” – Alaska

Fort Wainwright, Eielson AFB, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Fort Wainwright Special Events, Fort Wainwright School Liaison Office, Fairbanks Arts Association, Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation, and Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Military Student Support Coordinator

The goal of our partnership is to give the community an opportunity to learn about and celebrate military connected children, tweens, and teens. Evidence of the need for the event is that we celebrate military-connected students in our schools, on our military installations, and are working to increase more community opportunities to celebrate our youth. As students are choosing a post-secondary path, this partnership highlighted different career options for military-connected children within the community.

About the Award:
Created in 2004, the Lt. Gen. (Retired) H.G. “Pete” Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award™ recognizes the work of former MCEC Chairman Lt. Gen. (Ret) H.G. “Pete” Taylor in assisting military-connected children.  The award encourages the sharing of lessons learned and recognizes the long-held belief of Lt. Gen. Taylor that “goodness starts at the local level.”

About the Military Child Education Coalition:
MCEC® is a 501(c)(3) global nonprofit leadership, service delivery, and advocacy organization. MCEC supports all military-connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle. Learn more about the national advocacy efforts of MCEC at MilitaryChild.org and on social media at Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

For media inquiries: Please contact the MCEC Director of Marketing and Creative, Karen Kirk by email at:  Karen.Kirk@MilitaryChild.org or via phone at 254.953.1923 extension 1123 for questions about this release.