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K-State Today

December 2, 2013

Risberg authors e-book about military life, culture

Submitted by Patrice Scott

Military Connected Students in the Classroom

A College of Education instructor has published an interactive e-book that raises awareness about the culture and the social-emotional needs of military-connected students in grades K-12. "Military Connected Students in the Classroom" can be downloaded free on iBooks.

Sandy Risberg, instructor of curriculum and instruction, created the e-book based on her life experience as a military spouse, parent and educator. It is a substantive resource packed with useful information about life in the military.

According to the Military Child Education Coalition, or MCEC, every school district in Kansas — and in the country — has military-connected students.

"This book has the potential to impact military-connected students across the country and world because it is only a click away for teachers," Risberg said. "I would like to thank all of the groups, MCEC among others, who have worked to advocate for this population of students."

Chapters are "The Military Family," "The ABCs of the Military Student," "Building Resiliency in Military Children" and "Classroom Resources." Each contains links to helpful resources and videos.

"Sandy’s book strikes at the very heart of everything we are working to accomplish in the college," said Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education. "Not only does it address the needs of a specific population of students, it uses the latest technology to disseminate its message to teachers and preservice teachers wherever their classrooms may be."

Risberg joined the college last fall and serves as its representative in the Operation Educate the Educator program. She was instrumental in the production of the college's video "A Walk in My Shoes: Military Life" and in the creation of the Military ED-OPS, the college’s initiative to teach faculty, staff, preservice and in-service teachers about the unique needs of military-connected children.