Photo By Master Sgt. Blair Heusdens | Air Force Tech Sgt. Sonya Faucette, a service member with Joint Task Force Guantanamo,...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — A Joint Task Force Guantanamo trooper is gaining experience here for the career she plans to pursue after retirement, as well as volunteering time to the children of those stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. Air Force Tech Sgt. Sonya Faucette, a supply liaison with the Commissions Support Group, volunteers her time with Ms. Lopez's 3rd grade math class at W.T. Sampson Elementary School.
With 17 years of service as a supply specialist in the Air Force, Faucette is pursuing a degree in elementary education and plans to become a teacher after retirement. Faucette is in her junior year of school and since arriving in GTMO in January, has completed six additional credit hours toward her degree.
Faucette spends her days at Joint Task Force Guantanamo ordering supplies for the military commissions process and in support of housing those who support the commissions. For one hour each week, however, she takes time from her day to help teach and tutor children at the naval station's elementary school.
"For the first couple of weeks, I just helped the kids with their multiplication tables," said Faucette. "One week, the lesson I had in my college class lined up with the lesson the kids were doing and I asked if I could present the lesson to the class."
The opportunity gave Faucette a chance to experience what it's like to stand in front of a classroom.
"I was nervous before the first lesson," she explained. "But after the first word, I settled right into it."
In addition to teaching and tutoring, Faucette also volunteers her time at the naval station chapel, helping out in the nursery and is involved with her church back home. She says she enjoys being around children and it helps her to deal with being away from her husband and 4-year-old son.
"Wanting to be a teacher, I continually find myself [doing things that put me] in that role," Faucette said.
According to Faucette, she has always wanted to be a teacher. She says she has learned a lot from the children she teaches here.
"When I was in school, we didn't seem too eager to learn," she said. "It's amazing how fast these kids learn and the knowledge that is presented to them at such an early age."
Faucette is considering teaching for the Department of Defense so she can travel and continue serving in a military community.
"This experience will help me to be more realistic on what I plan to expect when I start teaching," Faucette said.
For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil.
| Date Taken: | 05.29.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.05.2009 09:12 |
| Story ID: | 34575 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 124 |
| Downloads: | 96 |
This work, Trooper gives time, talents to Gitmo, by MSG Blair Heusdens, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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