School liaison joins Team Goodfellow

  • Published
  • By Connie Hempel
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A full time School Liaison Specialist joined Team Goodfellow earlier this month ready to help military families and the San Angelo Independent School District make life a little easier for military school-aged youth.

This is the first time Goodfellow has had an official school liaison. The program was initiated throughout the Defense Department about three years ago, but the position has a much longer history of service for those serving overseas. The school liaison's role in assisting, aiding and advocating for military families abroad has demonstrated its potential usefulness locally, said Anthony Hooks, 17th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Services Flight Chief.

Goodfellow's School Liaison Specialist, Larry Lumpkin, 17th FSS, comes with more than 30 years experience in the education field, two master's degrees and a bachelor's. Over the years, Mr. Lumpkin has taught in parochial schools, public schools, charter schools, alternative/at-risk schools and even in the military during his four-year enlistment as a Naval Flight Simulator Instructor.

"He continues to demonstrate with much enthusiasm tempered with flexibility that he can adapt and accommodate arising needs of our children," Mr. Hooks said.
The School Liaison Specialist will act as an advocate and contact person to address any difficulties that the students of military families might encounter. From enrollment in the school system to transferring to another location, this office will work to assist parents and children realize their educational pursuits.

In the past the job was covered in part by different personnel within various groups throughout the base.

"Having all these services located in one office makes the information more accessible and serves as a focal point in addressing the educational needs of families," he said.

Mr. Lumpkin said having a school liaison is crucial when it comes to coordinating the needs of servicemembers with the services schools in the community offer. This is especially true when it comes to the Exceptional Family Member Program because these children have special needs that not all schools are capable of meeting.

"As a liaison, I try to find what's available in the school district and how parents can take advantage of those services," he said.
Although there are some rules already in place to make exceptions for military children with certain school procedures, Mr. Lumpkin said he's here to make sure they are being followed.
As an advocate for parents and school officials, Mr. Lumpkin said he wants to make sure things are being taken care of.

"If there's a problem that emerges between a military family member and the school system - suspension from school, placement in school, testing that needs to be done - and they need someone to be their spokesperson, they can come to me," he said. "The parent's involvement is very important, but I want to assist them. I can be their advocate or a resource who lets them know what's available."

His job is a two-way street. Not only does he serve the military families, he also helps the school district disseminate information to families on base. He's currently working with school counselors to find out their needs and goals, who their population is and how they see themselves dealing with military families.

"I hope that parents and SAISD will experience an additional link in communication that will serve to direct, educate and create a greater sense of cooperation," Mr. Hooks said.

In the future, Mr. Lumpkin said plans to gather lessons learned from school counselors and families with experience in the school district and pass those along to other parents who are new to the system.

The school liaison officer is located in the Norma Brown building, at the corner of Powell Street and Ft Griffin Avenue, in the first floor military personnel center. He can be reached at (325) 654-5225 or Larry.Lumpkin@goodfellow.af.mil during normal duty hours.

"I encourage parents to contact me whenever the need arises to help ease their adjustment during their assignment here," he said "I hope to help make the accompanying educational transition a good and effective experience for you and your family."