Keri Robertson encourages her students to be their best

Children in military families face special challenges; they change schools every few years and oftentimes have a parent deployed overseas. Keri Robertson, 2^nd grade teacher at Randolph Elementary School, understands the special commitment it takes to educate these students. Her use of gentle instruction and thoughtful questions create an environment of critical thinking.

She does this while also taking into account the emotional needs of her class. "Service was always very, very important in my family. My brother is in the military and while I knew that wasn't the career path for me, I wanted to do something to serve military families," said Robertson.

"It's been a calling for me to work with their children and make sure they're getting everything they need. Changing schools is hard for children and when one of their parents is deployed school becomes the one constant in their life. We try to be their constant," explained Robertson.

Robertson's students feel valued and cherished, which gives them the foundation to work hard and be successful in her class. It's a gift they will carry with them as they go forward in life.