Unemployed & Afraid’s Post

During my school visits, I’m frequently asked why I made the pilot (Gwen) a “girl.” A great question, given I’ve told the students my books are true stories based on my experiences as a USCG helo pilot. I tell the kids the main reason the pilot is a woman is because I wanted my granddaughter to have a female role model. I usually ask kids during my presentation, “Can girls be pilots?” This always elicits an overwhelming shout of “Yes!” However, fifty years ago, when I was in elementary school, it would have been a very different response, no doubt followed by arguments and class disruption. Fifty years ago, if asked, “Can girls be military pilots?” the overwhelming answer would have been, “No way!” With older students, I mention how only about 10% of pilots in the United States are women. By the way, in the U.S. Coast Guard, about 170 of its 900 aviators (19%) are women, and about 24% of USCG students currently attending flight school are women. "Four Lives Saved," Book #3 in "The Coast Guard Adventures of Dolph and Gwen" series, was just released. Adapting to unexpected circumstances, remaining calm in stressful situations, and working together as a team are the essential lessons of this story. And there are some cute animals in this story, which kids are sure to love. Help raise awareness of aviation as a potential career field for ALL kids. Get a copy, or better yet, multiple copies, to share with the kids in your life, your local library, school libraries, teachers, neighborhood lending library, etc. https://lnkd.in/gZMUYvqK

This video serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative journey a student undertakes over twelve years. Our collective mission is to motivate, guide, and educate students, equipping them for the next phase of their lives. It is crucial that we help them unearth their passions and adequately prepare for their future endeavors. Throughout these twelve years, students are presented with diverse pathways - be it pursuing higher education, continuing with their CATE program, or enlisting in the military. The ultimate goal is to nurture them into proactive individuals who contribute meaningfully to their communities. Here's to the invaluable task of shaping promising futures over the span of twelve impactful years. https://lnkd.in/eNhNi6m4

I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately on how the PAC Order has been perceived ever since its initial release in 2018. Equal Opportunity, particularly through the Prohibited Activities and Conduct (PAC) Order, is absolutely critical to the success and cohesion of the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps has always prided itself on values like honor, courage, and commitment, and the PAC Order reflects those same principles. It ensures that every Marine, regardless of their background, race, religion, or gender, is treated with dignity and respect. Since the release of the PAC Order, I’ve heard numerous Marines express concerns that it’s weakening the Corps or that we can no longer be tough on each other. That’s simply not true. Marines can still maintain the highest levels of discipline and readiness, but the way we communicate and enforce standards has to evolve. You can still be tough, but you can’t engage in behavior or language that ties into harassment, discrimination, or offensive conduct. We have to acknowledge that Marines come from diverse backgrounds, each with unique experiences. What one Marine might brush off, another might find deeply offensive or harmful. We can’t assume that just because something doesn’t bother us, it won’t affect someone else. Our responsibility as leaders is to cultivate and sustain an environment where all Marines can thrive and contribute to mission success without the burden of unfair treatment or prejudice. By eradicating offensive and harmful behaviors, we create a stronger, more unified force. The PAC Order doesn’t weaken the Marine Corps—it makes us better by ensuring that we uphold the values we stand for, not just in combat but in every interaction with one another. A Marine who feels respected and valued will always fight harder and work better for the team. Equal opportunity is not about being soft; it’s about being smart, professional, and maintaining the core values that make the Marine Corps the best fighting force in the world.

📅 Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks the end of slavery in the United States, commemorating the day in 1865 when federal troops announced freedom for all enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. It's a pivotal opportunity to discuss racism and discrimination in the classroom. 📚 Resources: - Lesson Plans - Articles - Information Sites 🔗 Click the link in our bio to access our topic guides! #United4SC #Academy4SC #Leaders4SC #Educators4SC #Research4SC #Scholars4SC #Students4SC

Did you know? The BRIGANCE Special Education program offers comprehensive assessments designed for early intervention, transition planning and skill development. It's the perfect solution for educators committed to providing top-notch support for students with special needs. Curious about how BRIGANCE works? Learn more about it here: https://lnkd.in/gTS_JdDu

“The new materials also include a focus on masculinities and the impact of gender stereotypes, including how to challenge outdated gender roles like men must be ‘tough’, or ‘stoic.’ It's vital that we're working with young men and boys in constructive ways to promote healthy and positive ways of being a man,” - I wonder, have private schools read this? Or are some private schools run by flat-earthers, refusing to accept the research, evidence & truth. While schools enforce rigid gender stereotypes on children in schools, they fail to create inclusive, equitable, learning environments. Such environments are not conducive to helping a child reach their full potential, and are not psychologically safe. While the governance & legislation enables the perpetuation of sexism, discrimination, & outdated norms, the systems & political leaders fail to enable a safe, inclusive, equitable school system. To prevent gender-based violence, to reduce the gender pay gap, & to eliminate coercive control, we need to address gender inequality & inequity. Schools that are forcing rigid gender norms are building the next generation of inequality & inequity. Which will happen first? Will private schools step up & do the right thing as a system? Some individual schools already are, even though they don’t have to. Or will we address governance at a systemic level, holding all schools, including private schools, to the same set of ethical, equitable, inclusive standards. If taxpayer funding is attached, there should be no exemption. The race is on! What do you think? Anna Cody Anne Hollonds Micaela Cronin Our Watch Independent Schools Victoria Independent Schools Australia Independent Schools Queensland Association of Independent Schools of NSW AISWA - Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia Jason Clare MP Penny Allman-Payne Sonya Semmens Steph Hodgins-May Coleen MacKinnon Scott McDougall Australian Human Rights Commission Queensland Human Rights Commission Human Rights Law Centre Linda Colley Dr Niki Vincent Ainslie Cunningham A.B. Paterson College King's Christian College Leonie Rowan Kayla Mildren Amanda Keddie Leanne Higham Erika K Smith Katy Gallagher Australian Government Department of Education Queensland Department of Education Steve Roberts Respect Victoria Equality Australia Australian Gender Equality Council Sapphire Parsons Ahmed Moustafa

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This type of learning is exactly what's needed in young Men today. Being surrounded by Positive Male Role Models that are Purpose Driven Men,earning Safety, Respect, Awareness, Discipline, and to be a Protector. https://lnkd.in/gQaeeciY

Wow, talk about (1) the power of persistence and (2) the power of redemption. https://lnkd.in/eghKi_Xx

Absolutely disgusting‼️ Town of Petawawa’s close-knit, caring and resilient Military-Veteran-Family rich community should not and cannot condone this hateful and divisive behaviour. This unacceptable vandalism does not represent us. A hateful display of ignorance and disrespect painted on a street leading to the largest Elementary and Highschool in our community, for which children will walk across on their daily commute. Garrison Petawawa is known as the; “Training Ground of Warriors” where military personnel train to defend and promote 🇨🇦 Canadian values of fairness, inclusion, openness, respect, compassion, diversity, equity and safety. Military families live, work and play in this town and military children attend the school that flanks this beautiful, vibrant and celebratory symbol reflecting the diversity of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, now marked with hate. Our community does not stand for this. If a child is responsible, you have to wonder what the conversations are within the home, or the conversations that aren’t happening. I hope and trust that the town leadership and school faculty will use this disgusting act as an opportunity for meaningful discussions to identify ways our community can promote allyship to our 2SLGBTQIA+ identifying family members, friends, neighbours, classmates and colleagues. This is not ok. 🔎 For my fellow Public Service employees, click here for educational resources on how you and your team can act as allies to the PRIDE community and initiate change-focused discussions in your workplace; https://lnkd.in/em-T7rh2 🏳️🌈❤️🏳️🌈💛🏳️🌈💚🏳️🌈💙🏳️🌈❤️🏳️🌈💛🏳️🌈💚🏳️🌈💙🏳️🌈❤️