HAMPTON, Va. –
The first-graders in Michelle Kroch's and Terrie Cecil's class at Luther W. Machen Elementary School filed in one by one, with wide grins and excited eyes, ready to start the lesson. Staff Sgt. Ryan Burkett, 83rd Communications Squadron Integrated Network Operations and Security Center Vulnerability Management technician, stood at the front of the class, lesson plan in hand, and welcomed the students as they took their seats.
Sergeant Burkett volunteered his time in the classroom as part of the Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads, designed to teach children the basic concepts of business and economics, and how education is relevant to the workplace. He opted to visit the school once a week for five weeks, bringing activities for the children to complete each time.
"The material engages the children and includes a lot of hands-on activities like drawing pictures," said Sergeant Burkett. "This course gives them a chance to play while they learn."
The JA-designed program, "Our Families," teaches children roles in the local economy, the differences between wants and needs and the importance of jobs, tools and skills in society.
The lesson began with students observing colorful photos providing feedback to Sergeant Burkett. Afterward, he explained how each photo represented people doing various jobs. In addition, he tasked children to identify wants and needs depicted in the photos.
Afterwards, Sergeant Burkett asked the students to get creative and draw pictures depicting themselves and their families working. Most children drew their parents at their respective workplaces. During the process, he walked from desk to desk, asking them to explain what job their parents did and why it was important.
When all the students finished their pieces, he asked each of them to stand and show and describe their work to the class. The colorful pictures showed parents and children doing a variety of jobs, from supermarket clerks to businessmen. One student drew a picture of his father, also in the Air Force, in uniform.
"It's really cool how the program condensed and simplified complex socio-economic principles to a point where children can understand them," Sergeant Burkett remarked. "Seeing them grasp these ideas at such a young age is impressive."
Perhaps more impressive is the amount of fun the children had learning the material.
"It's fun when Sergeant Burkett visits us," one first-grader said. "I draw pictures for him and he makes me laugh a lot."
"I wish he was here every day," said another student.
Sergeant Burkett said he encouraged all Airmen to volunteer for the program, which offers a variety of curricula for different age groups. Airmen have the flexibility of visiting a school daily or once a week. Program coordinators are willing to work with Airmen to tailor a flexible schedule, hoping to build their volunteer base.
"This is a great program to get involved with," he said. "There are lots of different ways to help the community, but working with kids is like nothing else. Nothing is more important than building tomorrow's leaders."