Q&A with ThanksUSA Scholar Jessica Zieran
An Arizona-based Army spouse shares the current state of her education, employment and family, as well as thoughts to help others through the uncertainty. Jessica and her husband Kevin, a wounded Veteran, have six children including one now serving in the U.S. Navy.
How has the current crisis affected your education?
Through this grossly unsettling event, I have been stretched and challenged to transition several courses to an exclusively online platform. Doing so mid-semester, amid some anxiety, has posed several challenges. I am working on keeping up motivation all while watching the syllabus and final projects shift each day. With my children needing to use the computer, we are all sharing one computer, and I am having to extend my evenings to accomplish assignments.
What is the biggest learning challenge and why?
The biggest learning challenge is staying focused on learning while worrying and living in fear of the unknown. I worry about paying my mortgage and bills; just today, I was laid off. This brings uncertainty. I worry about getting ill or when life will return to “normal.”
How worried are you that your degree is at risk?
I am not worried that my degree will be at risk, thanks to the amazing staff that are working on a daily basis to ensure that there are no stones left unturned as my cohort turns to technology as a way to complete coursework.
How has ThanksUSA helped in terms of your education?
I have so much gratitude for ThanksUSA. Because of the generous scholarship, I was able to pay my tuition in full without any school loans AND without impacting my family. Because of the trust and support of ThanksUSA, I am growing in my confidence and ability to make my dream of a bachelor’s degree a reality.
How has the Coronavirus outbreak affected your family?
As I look at my children smiling and playing, I am in awe at how resilient these kids are. I know that military life is something that cultivated this resiliency. However, my children miss their friends, teachers and school. They miss all of the things that seemed to frame out the life that we knew just a few weeks ago. Despite being cautious about how much time we spend fixating on COVID-19, I have had talks with the kids about their anxiety and questions.
How has your family been affected on the military side?
My husband Kevin is a wounded Veteran. He has both visible and invisible wounds. Because of this, there are many things that he used to do, that he simply cannot carry on with anymore. It hurts me to think that he does not have the same abilities that he used to have. We have had to begin to restructure our future plans. One of those being that, at some point down the line, I will need to be the primary working parent. This has been one of the integral reasons that I started my educational journey.
Through this grossly unsettling event, I have been stretched and challenged to transition several courses to an exclusively online platform. Doing so mid-semester, amid some anxiety, has posed several challenges. I am working on keeping up motivation all while watching the syllabus and final projects shift each day. With my children needing to use the computer, we are all sharing one computer, and I am having to extend my evenings to accomplish assignments.
What is the biggest learning challenge and why?
The biggest learning challenge is staying focused on learning while worrying and living in fear of the unknown. I worry about paying my mortgage and bills; just today, I was laid off. This brings uncertainty. I worry about getting ill or when life will return to “normal.”
How worried are you that your degree is at risk?
I am not worried that my degree will be at risk, thanks to the amazing staff that are working on a daily basis to ensure that there are no stones left unturned as my cohort turns to technology as a way to complete coursework.
How has ThanksUSA helped in terms of your education?
I have so much gratitude for ThanksUSA. Because of the generous scholarship, I was able to pay my tuition in full without any school loans AND without impacting my family. Because of the trust and support of ThanksUSA, I am growing in my confidence and ability to make my dream of a bachelor’s degree a reality.
How has the Coronavirus outbreak affected your family?
As I look at my children smiling and playing, I am in awe at how resilient these kids are. I know that military life is something that cultivated this resiliency. However, my children miss their friends, teachers and school. They miss all of the things that seemed to frame out the life that we knew just a few weeks ago. Despite being cautious about how much time we spend fixating on COVID-19, I have had talks with the kids about their anxiety and questions.
How has your family been affected on the military side?
My husband Kevin is a wounded Veteran. He has both visible and invisible wounds. Because of this, there are many things that he used to do, that he simply cannot carry on with anymore. It hurts me to think that he does not have the same abilities that he used to have. We have had to begin to restructure our future plans. One of those being that, at some point down the line, I will need to be the primary working parent. This has been one of the integral reasons that I started my educational journey.
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Military families cite financial responsibilities as major stressors. How has the pandemic affected your being able to handle your financial situation?
Despite our children being home from school, we knew it was essential for both of us to continue to work. Neither of us have jobs that can be done remotely. Today, before I went into work, I spent over an hour ensuring that I had computer usage mapped out for my children so that my teen was not overburdened. I made lesson plans, printed worksheets, and saved links with an accompanying schedule. I left home feeling ready for the week. What I wasn’t ready for was the news that I was being laid off. We are not sure how we will make everything work just yet.
What are the biggest challenges for you and your family?
The biggest challenges are being strategic in how we use our finances to cover our bills the next few months and trying to figure out how we will make our one computer work for the four school aged children. Along with these physical demands, we are processing through the emotional fallout, knowing that we must take care of ourselves first, so we can lead our kids through these tough times.
Do you feel that the issues faced by military families have been compounded by the virus?
Yes! Due to the unknown long-term effects of the quarantine, military families face suspended military moves from one station to another, reduced training opportunities, and promotions. Military families rely on these opportunities to progress through the service member's career and experience the benefits of serving in the military.
What advice or sentiments would you like to share with other military families?
I would encourage service members and their families to remain calm and plan for the long term. If you are feeling overwhelmed, start with the heart. Process your feelings through journaling, prayer/meditation, or talking with someone trusted. Service members are professionals at preparing for the worst and constantly moving towards the goal. Each family should find peace and comfort in each other; and remember that this is an experience that they did not expect, but one we can prepare for as we work together. Reach out to people you know and organizations that are poised to help. Share relevant information with others and help where you can.
Despite our children being home from school, we knew it was essential for both of us to continue to work. Neither of us have jobs that can be done remotely. Today, before I went into work, I spent over an hour ensuring that I had computer usage mapped out for my children so that my teen was not overburdened. I made lesson plans, printed worksheets, and saved links with an accompanying schedule. I left home feeling ready for the week. What I wasn’t ready for was the news that I was being laid off. We are not sure how we will make everything work just yet.
What are the biggest challenges for you and your family?
The biggest challenges are being strategic in how we use our finances to cover our bills the next few months and trying to figure out how we will make our one computer work for the four school aged children. Along with these physical demands, we are processing through the emotional fallout, knowing that we must take care of ourselves first, so we can lead our kids through these tough times.
Do you feel that the issues faced by military families have been compounded by the virus?
Yes! Due to the unknown long-term effects of the quarantine, military families face suspended military moves from one station to another, reduced training opportunities, and promotions. Military families rely on these opportunities to progress through the service member's career and experience the benefits of serving in the military.
What advice or sentiments would you like to share with other military families?
I would encourage service members and their families to remain calm and plan for the long term. If you are feeling overwhelmed, start with the heart. Process your feelings through journaling, prayer/meditation, or talking with someone trusted. Service members are professionals at preparing for the worst and constantly moving towards the goal. Each family should find peace and comfort in each other; and remember that this is an experience that they did not expect, but one we can prepare for as we work together. Reach out to people you know and organizations that are poised to help. Share relevant information with others and help where you can.
Scholars and military families affected by the Coronavirus, ThanksUSA is here to help navigate unforeseen challenges affecting your education. Visit our higher education resource page.
