Tying the Yellow Ribbon: How School Psychologists and Educators Can Support Military Families

Abstract: Tying a yellow ribbon around the tree in one's front yard or placing a magnet on one's car is more than just a show of support. It is a promise to American military around the world that one is ready and able to support them in their time of need just as they have supported the country. Educators, including school psychologists, are especially vital to the community's outreach to military families and can have a tremendous impact on the lives of military families. Teachers are often the first to recognize a student struggling due to the deployment of a parent or loved one. In many cases schools provide a sense of security that has been drastically challenged for military children. The role of the educator in this situation should be one of understanding and proactive outreach. The most important way educators can help military families is to become familiar with the challenges these families face before, during, and after a deployment. Military members and their families are going through or have been on a life-changing odyssey. Military members, as well as their families, have been overwhelmed, stressed, and challenged to extraordinary limits. Children in military families typically take on more responsibilities during a deployment of a family member. They must change and adapt to a new family dynamic while mom or dad is deployed. This can be extremely stressful both during the deployment and afterwards when their loved one returns home. The war is continuing and it is not uncommon for military families to experience up to four deployment separations. There are many things educators and school psychologists can do in their own communities to support the unique military families. In this article, the author suggests some steps for any educator who wants to support veterans and their families