Teachers attend Marine Educator Workshop

The educators selected from Harrisburg Recruiting Office along with Marine group leaders (tan shirts) and Brigadier General Ahmed T. Williamson (left front), Sergeant Major Sael G. Garcia (right front), and Opha Mae II, the dog named after the first female Marine.

The Marine Corps Educator Workshop gave teachers a behind-the-scenes look at experiencing Marine Corps recruit training at Parris Island, SC, February 11-14.

Jim Cristea and Fiona Link from the science department and Elizabeth Gregory from the world language department represented Truman High School. They were joined by other educators from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts who were selected to participate in the four-day “mini bootcamp.” The trip was sponsored by the United States Marine Corps through the Harrisburg, PA, and Springfield, MA, recruiting offices.

Participants completed obstacle course events and ran drills, learned about the history of the Marine Corps — this year marks the 250th anniversary of the Marines — toured the facilities, watched performances from the Parris Island Marine Corps Band, and had several Q&A sessions with Marines, recruits and staff members.

In the end, they watched 211 recruits graduate in the traditional ceremony. Cristea, Link and Gregory all agree that the trip was a unique and life-changing experience, and look forward to sharing what they learned with students and staff members.

“I am very grateful to have been a part of this workshop because it brings a new level of understanding and respect to the men and women that serve our country,” said Link. “I am thankful for the new relationships and connections that were formed from the workshop, and am enthusiastic to share them with the members of my community.”