Andalusia Elementary School Teacher with a special talent Barbara Peek participated in the Navy League Educators at Sea Program aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) off the coast of San Diego earlier this month.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt is the fourth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier within the United States Navy. Peek first learned about an opportunity to go on the trip in June through her father, who retired Naval Aviator.
“My father is Docent for the Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola. Capt. Thomas Pruter walked into the museum and he and my father had with each other in a conversation. When Captain. Pruter spoke about what he had done in his organization, the Navy League, my father was aware that I might be interested. He provided Captain. Pruter’s email address. When my dad phoned me to inform me that he had a new email address, I was ecstatic. When I received the email, I replied immediately. Capt. Pruter asked some general health-related concerns. He wanted to be sure I was able to handle the climbing and walking that was expected. It was then the process of waiting until a trip was planned and then determining whether I could be available. I was forced to cancel the trip in March but when I was asked if had time during June I decided that was the ideal moment to become a teacher.” Peek said.
She said she truly enjoyed the trip and thought it was an unforgettable adventure.
“Two that were among the top two thrilling things about the experience was the trip aboard the Osprey to take off at the air carrier, and sitting at the top of the flight deck to watch the F/A 18 Super Hornets (same aircraft that is flown by the Blue Angels) launch from the catapult. Watching how thousands of people were able to run so smoothly was incredible. A plane carrier is a floating town with an estimated population of 5,500 sailors and more with there is a pilot squadron connected to it. Coordination of everything from meals to medical care to launching, landing as well as maintaining and parking aircraft is a daunting job, yet everything went effortlessly. Meeting with sailors aboard was an eye-opener. A lot of the young men and women we talked with were teens. I believe they told us that the two young women ‘at the steering wheel’ of the vessel were between 19 and twenty years of age. Everybody we talked to was very knowledgeable about work and was well-spoken.”
Her father was an Naval Aviator for over 20 years, and her brother was an Navy pilot.
“I’m an Navy “brat” and have a great deal of respect for the military not only for the sacrifices the males and females undertake, but for the commitment and skills that each performs in the job they are assigned. They are masters of their trade. mechanics, flight deck crew doctors and munitions specialists, pilots are all highly educated and well-educated. I was aware of this when I watched my brother and dad learn as they train, fly and do it again. Being able to witness it all close and in person, gave me a new respect for the work that our soldiers carry out every day. They don’t rest as they do not know when they’ll need to be. It is imperative to be ready.” she stated.
During her travels her group asked questions to the executive officer on board.
“When we asked them how they handle conflicts between people and how they handled conflicts between people, he said that everything has to be tied back to the purpose and what method best serves the mission. He explained that when everyone concentrates on the mission and keeps their egos aside the conflicts are dealt with quickly. It’s a valuable idea that we can all utilize both at home as well as at work. Whatever your age, level of education or passion there’s an opportunity in the military for anyone who wants to pursue this direction. A carrier is an edifice floating on water, which isn’t much bigger than Andalusia. Anything that makes an urban area work is necessary in an air carrier.”
Peek is hoping to share the lessons learned of her trip to talk to school counselors, administrators, and students.
“I would like to share my experience with them to inform people of the mission and the benefits the Navy offers our children. In my class my students frequently want to understand how specific knowledge or skill can be useful for the world. Every experience I’ve had assists me in answering that issue, while my research with Theodore Roosevelt has provided me with plenty of examples to give. I also strive to show my students options for careers and jobs which aren’t the norm. I attempt to broaden their perspectives and expose them to careers that they don’t immediately imagine. Because we’re not close to an Navy base, there are times when children don’t even consider going the path.”
She is now an expert specialist in gifted education at Andalusia Elementary School.
“My children are, in my opinion, the absolute greatest thing I do. If I taught in the traditional classroom, a lab for science or the gifted classroom it is always the situation. What distinguishes the gifted classroom is that I be a teacher during three consecutive years. I am able to watch them mature, grow and accomplish things that they never imagined they would ever do. I truly get to know them and they become acquainted with me. Teaching is all about creating connections, and I have an unique chance in my classroom to make certain connections that are very special with my children. Because I live in a city like Andalusia I can keep in touch and witness them grow to become wonderful young adults.” Peek said.
Educators interested in setting up a trip should contact Peek at peekb@andalusia.k12.al.us, and she will pass along their information to Capt. Pruter. More information about the Navy League Educators at Sea Program can be found at www.navyleague.org/who-we-are.
The article Andalusia teacher is a part of life aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt was published initially on The Andalusia Star-News.
