When NJEA members enter the education profession, everyone comes with a trunk of different, real-life experiences that give each a unique perspective on how to approach educating students. For a few of our members, the trunk was a military footlocker and their real-life experiences were vastly different from most of their colleagues. Their footlockers were full of their experiences in the military, on active duty or in the Reserves or National Guard. These experiences instilled in each of them many leadership traits. They learned what it meant to work in group settings and how important it is to have trust. They knew it was the responsibility of the group to get everyone on the same step and were given opportunities to lead their peers through problem-solving and overcoming obstacles, both physical and mental. Being in the military gave them the confidence to walk into any setting and know what next steps to take and how to handle things strategically. It prepared them, albeit unknowingly, for the school house.
