What Purple Star Means to Parents

The Purple Star School program is designed to help schools respond to the educational and social-emotional challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school.  Marie McGarry and Catherine Cotovsky share their perspective as parents on the impact that Purple Star schools can have on our military-connected children.   

 

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Texas Education Agency. To learn more, visit https:  https://tea.texas.gov/.  

 

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas. 

 

Show Notes: 

 

Bio: 

 

Marie McGarry, M.Ed., is an educator, military spouse, and proud Mom to two military-connected teens. Marie earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction focusing on literacy education from Lesley University in her home state of Massachusetts. She was an elementary classroom teacher for over 10 years. She has worked for the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) since 2017 as a Master Parent Educator, webinar and podcast presenter, and professional development trainer.  Marie is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) and is a trained Special Education Advocate who works with families in the Northern Virginia area.   

 

Catherine Cotovsky joined the MCEC® team in 2021, where she serves as a parent educator, webinar presenter, and professional development trainer. A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduate, Catherine also attended law school at the University of Illinois and practiced civil defense litigation and family law for several years. She has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for youth in the Kansas judicial system and as a volunteer instructor for Army Community Service. Catherine has also been a military spouse for over 16 years. She and her husband met in their hometown near Chicago and now share three daughters.   

 

 

Resources: 

 

https://www.militarychild.org/purplestarschools 

 

https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/military-families/purple-star-campus-designation