Keeley Tatum, Air Force Dependent

Growing up as an Air Force “brat” and moving from place to place wasn’t always easy as a child and teenager for Keeley Tatum, especially in school. Her father was a dedicated Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force for over 20 years and flew F-15s until he was medically retired in 2001. He passed away in 2003 of Leukemia when Keeley was 14 years old.

Her father’s dedication to his job and family really shaped Keeley into the person she is today. Like her father, Keeley holds a special place in her heart for the military and those who serve and protect our country. Keeley is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in secondary English education at Mississippi State University and hopes to one day give back a little to the military by becoming a Department of Defense Dependent Schools teacher.

As a DODDS teacher, Keeley hopes to work on military bases and help ease the transition to new schools by creating meaningful and friendly school environments for her fellow “military brats.” Keeley recalls that there were a few teachers in her life that really reached out to her and made her feel welcomed at her new schools. They shaped her life in very meaningful ways and she hopes to emulate those special teachers in her own career and with her own students.