With Technology, JROTC Marches On

Charlotte NC

05 February, 2021

10:48 AM

Description

Press release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: 2/4/2021 In early March 2020, 1st Sgt. Brian Edwards and his JROTC students from Mallard Creek High took a field trip to Washington, D.C. They toured monuments and ate out every meal. "We weren't even thinking about a virus," said Edwards. When he returned to Charlotte, Edwards encouraged his students to start taking precautions against COVID-19. "I started reading more and felt like this was going to be pretty serious," he said. "I already teach my students to treat our space like it belongs to them. So, they were already keeping the space clean and disinfected. We stepped up on those cleaning standards." Then Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order for all schools to transition to remote learning. "I had no idea when I left school on March 13 that it would be nearly a year before we would be together again," said Edwards. So much of JROTC is steeped in team-building and traditions, and Edwards found ways to continue virtually. In the classroom, Edwards is the last to enter the class. As a noncommissioned officer, the first cadet who sees him will call the room to attention and lead them through their exercises for the day. In a virtual world, Edwards waits until all students are present before turning on his camera. "The first person that sees me enter the class starts off with our cadet creed," he said. "We try to recreate the environment that we have in person. Our kids love to interact with the instructors. There is a family atmosphere that we try to build at schools and recreate that virtually. We want some semblance of normalcy as it relates to our program." Edwards said getting the first-year cadets on board has been a challenge. "I try my best to teach them as much as I can onscreen," he said. "We teach the drills. We try to be synergized as much as possible. That's hard sometimes if someone has a lag in their internet connection." The cadets are focused on curriculum including self-awareness, personal growth, decision-making and goal-setting. The students completed a personal skills assessment. Edwards works with parents to make sure skills and goals are on the right track. "We have some of the same issues at home that we had in the classroom," said Edwards. "There are distractions at school and there are distractions at home. I work with our parents and cadets to help mitigate those distractions." Cadets work on practical areas like writing checks, using debit and credit cards, changing tires, sending thank-you notes and interviewing for a job. "We are teaching them how to leave here and become functional adults," said Edwards. The district's current plans will return Edwards and his students to the classroom on Feb. 22. "Our kids are really hungry to get back and wear their uniforms, complete service projects and practice their rifle marksmanship." While there are concerns and anxieties about returning to in-person learning, Edwards feels his students are prepared. "We've already been talking about this in our classes," he said. "We want to lay down the law before they even enter the classroom. We already have a very strict code of conduct, and I expect my students will social distance, wash their hands and wear their masks." Edwards also expects his students to set the example for others. "It means a lot more to these kids to hold each other accountable than hearing it from adults," he said. "I expect our cadets to encourage other students outside our program to follow the rules and do their part to keep everyone safe." This press release was produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.