Educators get glimpse of life in the military

Teachers take part in ‘Educate the Educators’ program

By: Molly Petrilla
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Sam Tola swapped his desk in Bordentown for a three-vehicle convoy in Baghdad on May 17 as part of the Army National Guard’s "Educate the Educators" program.
   Mr. Tola, who serves as the school district’s supervisor of guidance, business and technology education, experienced simulated life on the frontlines along with 11 other local educators and community members on a visit to Fort Dix. The program is meant to familiarize civilians with the organization’s mission and career opportunities, and it has been taking place throughout New Jersey for the past year.
   "Since the National Guard’s role has expanded into worldwide scenarios for wartime involvement, it’s kind of taken away from our main role of supporting our local communities," said Sgt. Carl Zandroski, who serves as recruiting and retention NCO. "We’re trying to get back in touch with the community."
   Participants departed via helicopter from Bordentown Regional High School and flew to the guard’s high-technology training center, where they fired simulated weapons and explored desert, woodland and urban environments. In these simulations, the civilians searched for mines and handled combat situations the same way soldiers-in-training do.
   "It was fun to share some of the basic-training experiences," Mr. Tola said.
   Joyce Court, a business teacher at BRHS, agreed, adding, "It gave me a better perspective of what the students are going to be required to do if they join."
   This taste of basic training was followed by lunch and a briefing session with the commander, after which participants were flown back to BRHS. As they arrived, though, they encountered a real-life emergency situation.
   A bomb threat had been received at 1:05 p.m. on one of the school’s central printers, stating that an explosion would occur at 1:30 p.m. Officials evacuated the students without incident, but the guard’s helicopter had to find a new landing spot. After coordinating with the Bordentown police chief, Sgt. Zandroski arranged for the chopper to ground behind the state trooper barracks. Following investigation, the high school reopened in the late afternoon without incident.
   Despite this interruption, Assistant Principal Pat Lynch said the trip was "probably one of the most exciting things that has happened to me in the last couple years."
   Ms. Court called the trip a valuable learning experience. For example, she said, "I didn’t know the National Guard isn’t a branch of the federal government. They’re a state branch, and they take their orders from the governor, not the president."
   And Mr. Tola described the day as both "wonderful" and "informative."
   "I didn’t realize the National Guard is so involved in activities for the State of New Jersey in so many areas — from aviation to journalism," he added. "I really gained a great deal of information that I can now bring back to the students."