Student Leader for Military Family Transition

Meet Vinson

Vinson is ready to be your military child’s first friend and “travel buddy” at Global Learning Academy. He will show your child(ren) around the school and help them to settle in. Current students of military families, like Vinson and other Global Ambassador Students, offer friendship, support, and practical tips on being a successful Global Learning Academy Explorer--with the support of our Guidance Counselor.

Opportunities for Military Volunteers

• Classroom Volunteer
• 1:1 Student Mentor (1 hour per week)
• Science Lab Volunteer
• Greenhouse Volunteer
• Media Center Volunteer

ReadyKids FL Reading PALS Program

To volunteer, contact: Mrs. Slater at mhenry-slater@ecsdfl.us

Escambia County Public Schools Military Services and Information

Escambia County Public Schools proudly supports military students and families with resources for transition planning, academic planning, and exceptional student education services. Please visit the ECPS Military Families page for additional resources and information.

Educational Opportunities for Military Families

GLA offers a variety of experiences and supports for military families and their students. In addition to Florida Standards and Escambia County Public Schools curriculum, Global Learning Academy offers the following unique opportunities:

• Common Sense Media School
  • Earning the Common Sense School badge is a symbol of our school's dedication and commitment to helping students think critically and use technology responsibly to learn, create, and participate. Global Learning Academy is proud to be Escambia County Public School District's FIRST school to earn the Common Sense Media designation.
• Continent Theme for each grade level
  • When three downtown schools closed to build a new, LEED certified, state of the art school, the idea of a Global community coming together was born. Each grade level, Pre-K-5th, is assigned a continent that contributes to the relevant learning for that grade level. The idea is that by the time a student leaves Global Learning Academy, they will have traveled the world.
• Science and Environmental emphases
  • Greenhouse, Watershed Restoration Boardwalk, Science Lab (All classes K-5 go to the science lab once a week.)
• LEED Certified Building 
  • To achieve LEED certification, a project earns points by adhering to prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality. Global Learning Academy is proud to be a GOLD certified LEED building.

Academic Services

• Pre-kindergarten
• Science Lab and Greenhouse classes for grades K-5
• STEM Club
• Pensacola Mess Hall after-school program
• Multi-tiered support system for students struggling with academics;
• Battle of the Books Club
• Y-Reads reading tutoring partnership with the YMCA
• Free Tutoring for Military Families/Students

Please inquire with our staff for information about these resources.

The Purple Star School of Distinction Designation recognizes Global Learning Academy as we support the unique needs of military families, help military-connected students navigate critical challenges and provide resources for military-connected students when transitioning to a new school environment.

Military Recognition Events

Annual Veterans' Day Luncheon
Holiday Letters for Heroes

Valentines for Vets: Feb 2025

NAS Pensacola partnership for flag training: Friday, Mar 22

NAS Pensacola Earth Day partnership: Saturday, April 20

"GLA Honors Military Veterans" hallway display

"Month of the Military Child" wear purple on Fridays

Mental Health Services

NAS Pensacola Fleet and Family Support Center

Let’s Talk: Youth, Mental Health, and TRICARE by TRICARE Communications

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services Fact Sheet

School-based mental health services:

• School-based Mental Health counseling is provided/overseen by a Licensed Mental Health provider housed at Global Learning Academy..
• Referral to school-based Lakeview Overlay Counseling 
• Navigator Social Work services (assistance with needs such as clothing, counseling, dental, food, medical, transportation, shelter, utilities)
• Counseling services are provided by the GLA school counselor.  The school counselor assists students with improving academic performance and an overall sense of well-being.  
• Mobile Response Team provides intervention and support to all individuals dealing with behavioral or mental health crises. Mobile Response Team Brochure

About the Military & Family Life Counseling (MFLC) Program

Global Learning Academy is honored to offer non-medical counseling to our military-connected students. MFLCs support military families through the unique challenges of military life, including cycles of deployment and reintegration, by providing non-medical, short-term counseling. Through a partnership between the school district, the installation and the office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy, counselors will be assigned to various schools during the school year.

What is the counselor’s role in the school?

MFLCs provide consultation, training, and educational presentations/workshops to program faculty, staff, parents, and children. MFLC support augments services already in place at each school. Counselors take part in everyday school activities and events. They are available to support in areas related to deployment and reintegration; family dynamics; positive coping mechanisms; staff support and education; parent education and stress reduction. Counselors are also available to facilitate groups and trainings to build leadership skills; manage anger; build self-esteem and confidence and strengthen communication.

How are counselors selected?

Counselors are selected for their demonstrated expertise and training and are under the management of the office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy. Counselors hold a master’s or doctoral degree, are independently licensed and have experience working with children and youth. Counselors go through rigorous background checks before being placed in schools.

Why are the counselors in certain schools and not others?

Schools were selected by the Service Branch to receive MFLCs based on the number of military connected students attending each school. Military families who have students in schools without counselors can typically receive the same support through the installation’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department, Fleet and Family Services or the A&FRC.

Do counselors keep records about students and families?

No. Services provided by counselors are private and confidential with the exception of mandatory federal and military reporting requirements (i.e., child abuse, domestic violence and other life-threatening situations). No counseling records are maintained.

The Dandelion

The official flower of the military child is the dandelion. Why?

The plant puts down roots almost anywhere, and it's almost impossible to destroy. It's an unpretentious plant, yet good looking. It's a survivor in a broad range of climates.

Military children bloom everywhere the winds carry them. They are hardy and upright. Their roots are strong, cultivated deeply in the culture of the military, planted swiftly and surely. They're ready to fly in the breezes that take them to new adventures, new lands, and new friends.

Experts say military children are well-rounded, culturally aware, tolerant, and extremely resilient. Military children have learned from an early age that home is where their hearts are, that a good friend can be found in every corner of the world, and that education doesn't only come from school. They live history. They learn that to survive means to adapt, that the door that closes one chapter of their life opens up to a new and exciting adventure full of new friends and new experiences 

(Military Child Education Coalition, 2017).