Student Liaison Officers: Securing our future

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ethan Sherwood
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs

School Liaison Officer Theresa Goodwin is dedicated to assisting families with school-age children. 

She is the bridge between schools, Goodfellow, and families. She provides resources to better the education of military children. Goodwin oversees 453 campuses and 43 independent school districts across Texas.

Goodwin noted that sometimes children need unique resources. 

Military children often travel over state lines, and the educational systems can be vastly different. SLOs do everything within their power to ensure military children succeed and get every resource they need. 

One of the biggest resources that SLOs have on their side is the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The purpose of this compact is to eliminate roadblocks for military children. Some of the main focuses are enrollment, placement, attendance eligibility, and graduation. 

“It is a huge governing law for our military-connected families,” said Goodwin. “It protects military students in transition.”

Some of the work that Goodwin does is outside of the school. She has coordinated the annual back to school event since 2016, delivering over 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to date. The back to school event has promoted a strong partnership with Operation Homefront and even the first shirts of Goodfellow. 

She also spearheads the Month of the Military Child observance. 

“It’s a very big month for military members with children here,” explained Goodwin. “One Friday of the month is designated by the Texas Governor and everyone turns purple on that day.” 

Goodwin is working on a partnership agreement with Region 15 Education Services Center to bring Goodfellow and local school relations closer. 

Goodwin keeps leadership up-to-date with everything education-related. She is the commander’s advisor on all Pre-K to 12th-grade educational requirements, challenges, and successes. 

Goodwin isn’t in this fight by herself. The SLOs are a tight-knit group across the total force. They tackle problems and provide support across the globe. They lead the charge in building “Purple Capacity Communities” removing barriers wherever they appear. 

Goodwin and other SLOs are available five days a week to assist you and your family, to contact your SLO visit https://www.dodea.edu/Partnership/