188th Wing presents Poteau Public Schools superintendent with ESGR Patriot Award

Dr. Don Sjoberg, superintendent of Poteau Public Schools, accepts the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award Nov. 10, 2015, from 2nd Lt. Alcides Silva, 188th Force Support Squadron personnel officer and Poteau High School teacher, at Poteau, Okla. Sjoberg received the award for contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve force as a patriotic employer. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Chauncey Reed/Released)

188th Wing presents Poteau Public Schools superintendent with ESGR Patriot Award

Dr. Don Sjoberg, superintendent of Poteau Public Schools, accepts the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award Nov. 10, 2015, from Col. Tenise Gardner, 188th Mission Support Group commander, 2nd Lt. Alcides Silva, 188th Force Support Squadron personnel officer and Poteau High School teacher, and Lt. Col. Judith Mathewson, 188th Mission Support Group deputy commander and ESGR representative, at Poteau, Okla. Sjoberg received the award for contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve force as a patriotic employer. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Chauncey Reed/Released)

188th Wing presents Poteau Public Schools superintendent with ESGR Patriot Award

Published Nov. 24, 2015
By Senior Airman Cody Martin
188th Wing

POTEAU, Okla. --
Several members of the 188th Wing presented the Patriot Award, Nov. 10, to Poteau Public Schools superintendent Dr. Don Sjoberg.

The Employer Support of Guard and Reserve Patriot award recognizes individual supervisors or bosses for support provided directly to the nominating Service member and his or her family.

Dr. Sjoberg received the award from Col. Tenise Gardner, Lt. Col. Judith Mathewson and 2nd Lt. Alcides Silva.

Silva is the nominating service member for Dr.Sjoberg. In her civilian job, she is a Poteau high school teacher and as an 188th Force Support Squadron personnel officer, she works with new Airmen in the student flight to prepare them for Basic Training.

"When I was interested in pursuing an officer position on base, Dr. Sjoberg was very supportive of my decision and encouraged me in doing so," said Silva. "I'm blessed to work with him and for Poteau Public schools."

Along with teaching Silva is also a coach for cross-country running and boys' soccer.

The ESGR is a Department of Defense office created to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component service members and their civilian employers, to promote a culture in which all-American employers value military service of their employees and offers a program whereby military members can show their support in return.