Every Falcon in Timber Creek is unique in their own way, but not just students. Here in Timber Creek we have teachers and students from all different places and backgrounds. Eight teachers have one thing in common, they all served our country in the United States Military.
Ryan Davis, Christopher Harold, Daniel Comiskey, Chuck Fongsamouth, James Kline, Denessa Kendrick, Scott Petras and Alfred Hernandez. These people might just be seen as psychology, World History, economics, math teachers or coaches, but some may not realize they also identify with previously having served in the military.
“I try to relate past events to current events so hopefully the students will have a better understanding of the material. I not only try to teach my content area but I also try and instill traits into my classroom like hard work, responsibility, respect for others and perseverance just to name a few,” said psychology and World History teacher, Kline, who served in the military for 13 years.
Before being able to be deployed, recruits will have to complete Basic Training, often referred to as Boot Camp, which consists of training for the emotional, physical and mental elements of service.
“I joined the Marine Corps in June of 1993, that was the year I graduated high school,” explained economics teacher, Comiskey. He further elaborated on his quick transition into Boot Camp just three days after he graduated high school.
Basic Training lasts seven to 12 weeks depending on the branch of service. After completing the rigorous training, recruits are then able to finish their advanced training and continue on to be deployed.
“I was stationed for three years in Yuma, Arizona as an Air Traffic controller, then I moved to communication and was a Radio Operator when I was stationed in 29 Palms, California,” said Comiskey. “The Marine Corps teaches 14 leadership traits which all of the recruits live and learn by. I like to think that I do my best to live by those traits and the leadership principles that I learned. These traits help recruits be leaders not only during their service but in during the rest of their lives in the community. I try to be a positive role model for my students. I want them to learn economics but I also want then to be outstanding citizens and to be successful in their lives beyond Timber Creek.”
Kendrick, basketball coach and math teacher served in the military herself for eight years. She began as a flight operations specialist in the U.S. Army, which she explained to be similar to an air traffic controller that works in the tower.
“I entered the military at 18 years old and had never held a weapon in my life. I had never been in such an intense training like boot camp was. I had never been in a situation where I had to get up every morning at 5 a.m. to work out, then turn around and go to work at 7 a.m. These were all the things that I didn’t like doing because I either didn’t know how or just didn’t want to do it,” said Kendrick. “What I learned from all of this was that I wasn’t the only one that felt this way. My team felt this way, but we learned to accomplish every task together and that’s what it’s about. Don’t give up on yourself or anyone around you. Teamwork makes the dream work.”
After their service, some of these teachers started to follow their dreams like math teacher Kendrick. After her service as a flight operations specialist, Kendrick decided to follow her dreams and have her own basketball team.
“So in order to follow my dreams, I took classes while working full-time until I graduated with a bachelor’s degree and my teaching certification,” explained Kendrick about her success. “To be completely honest serving my community is what I do best and teaching/coaching was the closest thing to doing that besides the military.”
Now these veterans use their experiences to helps shape their students and teach important life lessons and characteristics.
“The military teaches you commitment, discipline, structure and team work which are all things that I live by and give to my students every day so that they can in turn do the same,” said Kendrick.
These veterans continued to serve the community when they decided to be teachers or coaches and they will continue to shape the future leaders our generation.
