Teen Talk: Transitioning from a Public to DoDEA School
By Emily Wheeler, MAMF Student Liaison
DoDEA graphic used by permission
Two years ago, “back-to-school” for me meant starting at a new school. That wasn’t particularly special in and of itself; I’d gone to at least 5 or 6 schools since kindergarten. But what made that year unique was that I would be going to my first DoDEA school, in Germany. I had no idea what to expect.
My mom had told me that she had accepted a job overseas that previous February. I spent the next six months stalking school websites and Instagram pages. I probably stared at the same “About Our School” page for hours. It felt like I was trying to solve a mystery of what my life would be like at my new school. The last time I moved was in sixth grade and from one public, stateside school to another, where military children were the exception, not the rule.
That first day, I was so anxious. I went from class to class, meeting teachers and doing awkward icebreaker activities with people who already seemed to know each other. In hindsight, with how many people PCS over the summer, I’m sure fewer people were actually already friends than I thought. Even so, I felt totally alone.
But what made DoDEA feel different from other schools I’ve gone to is the people. During class and lunch, the people I approached were so welcoming. Almost everyone knows what it’s like to be the new kid, and so many people come in and out that almost every club, friend-group, and class of people I reached out to were open to new people. You just have to be willing to peek out of your shell and introduce yourself.
I also learned that I had to stop comparing every part of my life at a public school vs. my new DoDEA one so much. There are a lot of opportunities at my new school- unique clubs, a lot of honor societies, places to travel. I’ve been on ski club trips to Italy and attended a Model UN conference in Prague. I still miss being in a marching band and my old friends. I think that’s one of the tough parts, loving a new place and friends so much while still missing the old ones. But you can’t fully enjoy anything if you’re constantly thinking about what you could be doing instead.
When I had told my friends at my stateside school that I was moving, it felt like I was constantly clarifying. Yes, I would still have to take the SAT. Yes, I could take Advanced Placement classes. Yes, I could go to school football games and homecoming. It would be like my public school, just different. I couldn’t really blame people for not knowing what going to a DoDEA school is like, I didn’t either.
When I returned to the States to participate in American Legion Auxiliary Girls State, some people who were military-affiliated already knew about DoDEA before I told them. But I also realized that I needed an “elevator pitch”- “My mom works for the Department of Defense as a civilian, so I go to school in Germany.” Cue questions about if I speak German, what it’s like, etc. But I’ve found that having some short way to summarize how my life works makes meeting new people much easier.
I think the only people who really know what it’s like to be a military child overseas are military children overseas. After my third DoDEA back-to-school season, I know that it’s every returner’s responsibility to help out any new people, especially those who are new to living overseas. But, it’s also the newly-arrived person’s responsibility to be willing to embrace the unknown and not fall into the trap of comparing everything to the place they last lived. I’m glad that I have the ability to talk to new people, ask them where they’re from, and help them be more comfortable, just like the kids and teachers I met during my first days.
NEW BOOK RELEASE: In Service With Uncle Sam by Deborah E. Breining
The Museum of the American Military Family and Learning Center (MAMF) is pleased to announce the release of In Service with Uncle Sam, an anthology of stories about working for the US Federal government. A sequel to the acclaimed Schooling With Uncle Sam and Host Nation Hospitality anthologies, In Service With Uncle Sam focuses on federal workers from different agencies and eras.
This anthology documents and preserves history as told by the largely invisible employees working for the federal government, detailing the experiences and relationships they developed at home and abroad while serving the United States.
Author Deborah E. Breining says, “From my point of view, collaborating on In Service With Uncle Sam was both rewarding and deeply meaningful. The process brought together a diverse group of contributors whose voices reflected the wide range of experiences of civilians working within the federal government. Beyond preserving personal memories, the book serves as a bridge for future generations to understand the human side of federal service, emphasizing that behind every policy, program, or office, there are people with experiences worth remembering.”
Editor Circe Olson Woessner adds, “These stories cover the period from the Second World War to the present. It’s interesting to learn how working conditions have evolved and shifted over the decades, and as federal employment continues to undergo transformation, this book serves as a record of those developments through the summer of 2025.”
ABOUT THE MUSEUM:
The Museum of the American Military Family and Learning Center is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and provides programming both Stateside and overseas. MAMF is an award-winning, mission-driven, all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit focused on the history, culture and stories of U.S. military families.
MEDIA: Please contact circe@militaryfamilymuseum.org
In Service With Uncle Sam (Museum of the American Military Family Publications) Paperback – September 5, 2025 by Deborah E Breining (Author), Circe Olson Woessner (Editor) Part of: Museum of the American Military Family Publications (5 books)
- ASIN : B0FQ286DY9
- Publisher : Independently published
- Publication date : September 5, 2025
- Language : English
- Print length : 293 pages
- ISBN-13 : 979-8294954987
In Service With Uncle Sam can be purchased on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1Qqepvw
NEW BOOK RELEASE: WOOFTASTIC and Mr. Wonderful by Circe Olson Woessner
The Museum of the American Military Family and Learning Center (MAMF) is pleased to announce the release of WOOFTASTIC and Mr. Wonderful, an easy-to-read chapter book about the adventures of Danny, a lovable Jack Russell Terrier, who is part of a service family that goes wherever Uncle Sam sends them. Danny is loyal, opinionated, and imaginative.
WOOFTASTIC and Mr. Wonderful follows Danny as he moves from New Mexico to Hawaii and back again during significant times in recent history: the COVID-19 pandemic and the start of the War in Ukraine. In between, his daily routine of guarding his family, waiting for meals, and napping is interrupted by real and imaginary adventures.
“Anyone who has owned a Jack Russell Terrier will immediately understand where Danny is coming from,” says author Circe Olson Woessner. “Much in this book is based on real events. Maggie and Mack were dogs we had years ago, and that story is based on something Maggie did. Danny’s travel misadventures are also based on his actual PCS experiences, and he did, in fact, stand up to a bear. Unfortunately, my family learned what a sneaker wave is firsthand, but fortunately, we lived to tell the tale. I really loved writing WOOFTASTIC’s story, which emphasizes his larger-than-life personality.”
Young readers will appreciate the stories as told from a dog’s point of view, and adults can imagine how their own dogs would react if they were dropped into similar situations.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, ILLUSTRATOR, AND MUSEUM
MAMF founder and Director Circe Olson Woessner wrote this charming book. Danny is a real dog, and his real 95-year-old grandma drew the pictures of Danny’s adventures.
The Museum of the American Military Family and Learning Center is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and provides programming both Stateside and overseas. MAMF is an award-winning, mission-driven, all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit focused on the history, culture and stories of military families. To learn more about MAMF, visit its website at www.militaryfamilymuseum.org and its Facebook at www.facebook.com/MuseumoftheAmericanMilitaryFamily
MEDIA: Please contact circe@militaryfamilymuseum.org
WOOFTASTIC and Mr. Wonderful (Museum of the American Military Family Publications) Paperback – September 1, 2025 by Circe Olson Woessner (Author), Joan Y Olson (Illustrator) Museum of the American Military Family Publications
- ASIN : B0FPSHZJ2T
- Publisher : Independently published
- Publication date : September 1, 2025
- Language : English
- Print length : 102 pages
- ISBN-13 : 979-8298544351
It can be purchased on Amazon: https://a.co/d/eWo4ngk
We want your potholders!
Books about Starting School and Making Friends
by Karin Tramm, MAMF Director of Education
Soon thousands of military-connected students will hear the bell ring for the start of the 2025-26 school year. Excited faces, the smell of new crayons, and Boo-Hoo Breakfasts are fond first day memories from my years working in DoDEA schools. One third of the student body is new every year and a diversity of students thrive in an environment of acceptance and respect where all learners are welcome. To all of our military connected families, stateside or overseas, MAMF wishes a happy and healthy new school year, new friends, and new memories!
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We Don’t Eat our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all. . . . Readers will gobble up this hilarious story. |
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The Seeds of Friendship by Michael Forman
Adam feels alone in the strange new city. He misses his old friends and the colors of his faraway home. It’s fun to build snow animals with children in his new neighborhood, but Adam’s concrete surroundings still make him wish for something more. So when a teacher gives him a few seeds, it plants an idea in him—an idea that could transform his gray world forever. |
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The Word for Friend by Aiden Cassie
Kemala the pangolin is sure she’s going to make friends at her new school in her new country. After all, Kemala loves to talk. The kids at school like talking, too–but their words are all different. This country speaks a language Kemala doesn’t know. At first, no one understands Kemala either. This realization makes her curl into a little ball, like most pangolins do when they’re nervous. But soon, Kemala is learning the most universal language of all: friendship
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The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what happens when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious about fitting in. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she decides to choose an American name from a glass jar. But while Unhei thinks of being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, nothing feels right. With the help of a new friend, Unhei will learn that the best name is her own. |
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All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold Discover a school where all young children have a place, have a space, and are loved and appreciated. Follow a group of children through a day at school where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other’s traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be. |
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The Pigeon HAS to go to School by Mo Willems
Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn’t like it? What if the teacher doesn’t like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!? |
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Exit Strategy By Lauren Allbright
Twelve-year-old Ross tries to discover the formula for being funny and getting his new classmates to like him in this laugh-out-loud MAX novel! |
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One Kid’s Trash By Jamie Sumner From the acclaimed author of Roll with It and Tune It Out comes a funny and moving middle grade novel about a boy who uses his unusual talent for decoding people’s trash to try to fit in at his new school.
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Wechselnde Ausstellungen im Rathaus
Seit Januar gibt es im ersten Stock des Rathauses eine Reihe von Ausstellungen, die von Dr. Circe Olson Woessner, Direktorin des MAMF International Humanities Center, gestaltet wurden. Jeder Monat steht unter einem einteiligen Thema. Das Thema im Januar lautete „Frieden“, im Februar „Liebe.“ Im März, „Gelegenheit“ war eine ausführliche Ausstellung über den WiS Ehrenbürger Walter Hahn. Die Familie Hahn arbeitete mit Dr. Woessner zusammen, um Walters außergewöhnliche Geschichte zu erzählen. Die Ausstellung „Kreativität“ im Juni/Juli zeigte Töpferwaren und Kunstwerke von Weil im Schönbuch Künstlerin Ulrike Gotowicz. Das Augustthema ist die Natur und ist ebenfalls eine Zusammenarbeit zwischen dem Museum und der Weilerin Ulrike Gotowicz. Die US-Malerin Ceilon Aspenson gestaltet große Poster, die jede Ausstellung begleiten. Die wechselnden Ausstellungen sind während der regulären Öffnungszeiten des Rathauses zu sehen.
Changing Exhibits at City Hall
Since January, the first floor of City Hall has hosted a series of exhibitions designed by Dr. Circe Olson Woessner, Director of the MAMF International Humanities Center. Each month has a single theme. January’s theme was “Peace,” and February’s was “Love.” In March, “Opportunity” was an in-depth exhibition about Weil im Schönbuch honorary citizen Walter Hahn. The Hahn family collaborated with Dr. Woessner to tell Walter’s extraordinary story. The June/July “Creativity” exhibition featured pottery and artwork by Weil im Schönbuch artist Ulrike Gotowicz. The August theme is nature and is also a collaboration between the museum Ulrike Gotowicz. American artist Ceilon Aspenson designs large posters to accompany each exhibition. The changing exhibitions can be viewed during City Hall’s regular opening hours.
January poster by Ceilon Aspenson
The exhibit about Walter Hahn
Artist Ulrike Gotowisc
August’s “Nature” display
A closeup of one of the shelves
Books about moving for military-connected kids
Karin Tramm, MAMF’s Director of Education has created a list of books about moving. Here are four books and their descriptions. For the complete list, click on the link.
“I strive for predictability and routine for my students. As military kids, their lives are a series of upheavals as a result of moving out, moving in, deployments, and living in a foreign country. Strangers boxing up favorite things, living on loaner furniture, and heartbreaking goodbyes are hard enough on adults; on children it can be exponentially more difficult. It makes me happy that school is a safe place where they know what to expect when things at home are unraveling and unpredictable.”
–excerpt from 100 Days Smart by Karin Tramm
NEW! Resources, news, and stories for military teens
NEW PROGRAMS COMING!
“Military-connected teens have unique needs due to deployments, frequent moves, and other challenges associated with military life. The Museum of the American Military Family seeks to share resources designed to support and strengthen military-connected youth while navigating these transitions.”
Karin Tramm, MAMF Director of Education
https://www.bloommilitaryteens.org/
MAMF’s former Student Liaison Shanon Hyde wrote a great book, Dear Military Teen, to help military teens succeed in High School and college. It can be purchased on Amazon:
Kids’ Books and Media Resources about Deployments & Military Life
by Karin Tramm, MAMF Director of Education
BOOKS ABOUT DEPLOYMENT
| Author | Title | Reading Age |
| Andrews, Beth
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I Miss You!: A Military Kids Book About Deployment | 2-5 |
| Ayyar, Kristin | Countdown ‘til Mommy Comes Home
Countdown ‘til Daddy Comes Home |
5-6 |
| Betcher, Krista | Star’s Purpose (also in Spanish) | 4-8 |
| Carson, Heather | When Dad is Deployed
When Mom is Deployed |
? |
| Cino, Cortney | Finally Home | 3-8 |
| Cook, Julia | Deployment: One of Our Pieces is Missing | 3-11 |
| Ehrmantraut, Brenda | Night Catch | 2-6 |
| Greer, Joshua | While You’re Away I’ll Be Brave | 4-9 |
| James, Dominique | When You Are Away | 4-8 |
| King, Becky | I’ll Lend You My Daddy | 4-8 |
| Lawrence, Trista | When Daddy is Away: Days of Deployment | ? |
| Linhart, Sandra Miller | Momma’s Boots | ? |
| McClinton, Jacob and Krystle | Sometimes I Have to Go | 2-8 |
| Mills, Stephanie | My Dad the Hero | 1-12 |
| Page, Dollie | Our Time Apart: A Children’s Book About Military Deployment | |
| Robinson, Rachel | Deployment Guide for Kids 4th ed. | 7-12 |
| Rodriguez, Christina and
LaBelle, Julie |
My Mom’s Deployment: A Deployment and Reunion Activity Book for Young Children
My Dad’s Deployment: A Deployment and Reunion Activity Book for Young Children |
2-5 |
| Thill, Jennifer Neilsen | Why I Must Go | 0-18 |
| Tinsley, Tamika | My Daddy is on Deplyment | 5-12 |
| Thomas, Morgan | Daddyland | 0-11 |
| Walker, Chandelle | Daddy Left with Mr. Army: A Child’s View of Military Deployment | 2-11 |
| Winters, Erin | Sometimes I Want a Hug | 0-8 |
| Wright, Tom | Daddy Goes on Deployment | 2-8 |
BOOKS ABOUT MILITARY LIFE
| Author | Title | Reading age |
| Ackerman, Laura Jo | Yes, I am a Military Child | primary |
| Barnes, Jessie | Coloring my Military Life Book 2 | 7+ |
| Biden, Jill | Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops | 3-7 |
| Brown, Milla | My Hero, My Parent: A Coloring Tribute to Military Families | any |
| Caggiano-Hollyfield, Kelly | My Mommy’s in the Military: A Reader Book for Military Moms | 3-6 |
| Castro, Ruth Gonzales | Here We Go Again: A Children’s Book About Moving as a Military Child
My Mom Wears Combat Boots |
3-10 |
| Collier, Bird | I’m From Everywhere | primary |
| Elva Resa | Military Life: Stories and Poems for Children | all |
| Falvey, Daniel and Mrs. Julie Hutt’s 4th grade class | Letters to a Soldier | 9-12 |
| Fox, Tahna Desmond | My mommy is a sailor | 0-12 |
| Gibson, Shavonne | Purple Up: We Serve, Too | 0-10 |
| Gomez, Johanna and Daniel | The Adventures of a Military Brat: My Military Life | 9-11 |
| Gosser, Joanna | PCS Penny | 0-12 |
| Grey, Talulah | Daddy’s a Soldier in the Army
Mommy’s a Soldier |
2-10 |
| Hardin, Melinda | Hero Mom; Hero Dad | 4-6 |
| Harrington, Claudia | My Military Mom | 0-8 |
| Havorka, Sarah
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Camouflage Mom: A Story About Staying Connected | 3+ |
| Johnson, Susan | Our Military Family | 8-10 |
| Joy, Marina | Buddy the Soldier Bear | 4-8 |
| Kerley, Barbara | Brave Like Me | 4-6 |
| Lefebvre, Randy | Moving to a New Military Base | intermediate |
| Mahaffey, Brooke | I’m a Dandelion: A PCS Story for Military Children | 4-10 |
| Mayer, Kally | My Daddy is a Soldier: Sweet Rhyming Bedtime Picture Book | 2-6 |
| McElroy, Lisa Tucker | Love, Lizzie: Letters to a Military Mom | 4-8 |
| Miller, Matthew E. | My Daddy My Soldier
My Mommy My Soldier |
6-12 |
| Moren, Zandra | It’s PCS Season: Riley’s Journey to Discover PCS Season
It’s PCS Season Again |
5-12 |
| O’Brien, Kevin B. | Military Kids on the Move | 7-13 |
| Page, Dollie | We’re Moving …Again: A Children’s book About Military Relocation | 6-10 |
| Pelligrino, Athens E. | The Military Child Chronicles: Mission: My PCS Overseas | 0-12 |
| Perry-Knight, Shermaine | I Move A Lot and That’s OK | 5-10 |
| Puttbrese, AnneMarie | My Mommy is a Hero in Uniform | 4-8 |
| RP Kids | Mini Military Series Board Books (4 books, Lil’ Air Force Pilot, Lil’ Soldier, Lil’ Sailor, Lil’ Marine | 1-6 |
| Rodriguez, Christina | Coloring my Military Life Book 1 | 4-8 |
| Scillian, Dvin | H is for Honor: A Military Family Alphabet | 6-9 |
| Scweizer, Amy | I Will be OK: Adventures of a Military Kid
|
4-8 |
| Sheerger, Sarah | Purple Up: We Salute Our Friends | 4-8 |
| Sipos, Jennifer and
Freeland, Jennifer Rose |
Duck and Rabbit ABC (also in Spanish) | 0-4 |
| Skolmoski, Stephanie | A Paper Hug | 0-5 |
| Smith-Brown, Brianna | Rhett and Tango: Tales of a Military Kid | 8+ |
| Stewart, J. | My Military Family | |
| Straton, Connor | Military Families | |
| Thompson, Brittany | My Military Life: A Coloring Book for Brave Kids | 3+ |
| Tiscareno-Sato, Gracelia | Good Night Captain Mama; Captain Mama’s Surprise; Taking Flight with Captain Mama (also in Spanish)
|
4-9 |
| Tovad, Tessa
|
My BIG Military Move | 4-8 |
| Weber, Teri | Fly with MyTai; Moose on a Mission;
Toad the Tanker (also in Spanish) |
4-8 |
| Zhao, Moran | My Dad is a Soldier | 5-8 |
Websites:
https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/
https://sesameworkshop.org/topics/military-families/
https://adventuresofamilitarykid.com/
https://tinytroopssoccer.com/helpingmilitarykidsdeployment/
https://www.operationwearehere.com/childrenbooks.html
https://milmomadventures.com/a-poem-to-our-military-kids/
Back to school:
https://militarychild.org/resource/guide-to-understanding-military-connected-student-transition/
https://militarychild.org/for-education-professionals/
https://militarychild.org/resource/back-to-school-toolkit/
Read alouds and videos:
https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/topic/deployments/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI1AMomhO6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWIjhfjtjCU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Ev1eWaMLtn4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvOv5T-nPz8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6bK2ayZIBo
MAMF Launches Resources for Military Kids
NEW PROGRAM COMING SOON!
MAMF Director of Education, Karin Tramm, is creating resources and activities for military-connected teachers and students. MAMF will be posting stories, photos, by and for military kids.
“The Museum of the American Military Family strives to provide ideas and activities that celebrate and support the unique needs of our military-connected students. From building resilience, fostering connections, coping with transitions and deployments, or just having fun, our goal is to provide resources to enrich the lives of our youngest learners.”
–Karin Tramm, MAMF Director of Education
