When Angie and Craig Seay met on an Air Force base in the Netherlands, both were serving as F-15 aircraft mechanics. Coming from different backgrounds—Angie from the Bronx and Department of Defense schools overseas, and Craig from a small town in South Carolina—they shared family histories deeply connected to military service.
Craig described his family’s influence: “They were icons,” he said. “There was this big world out there everybody kept talking about, and I wanted to see that great big world. The Air Force was my way out of South Carolina.”
During their time in the Air Force, they worked abroad and interacted with people from various cultures. Angie recalled being one of the few women in her position: “I was the only female crew chief on my base for a few years. So I had to toughen up.” She emphasized the sense of community among service members: “I’ve never felt that camaraderie in all the jobs that I’ve had afterwards. There’s nothing like it.”
After leaving active duty, both faced career uncertainty when they lost civilian jobs during the 2008 recession. Angie began substitute teaching at friends’ encouragement, eventually becoming a special education assistant before earning her social studies license. She has since taught U.S. History and Sociology at Doherty High School for 13 years.
Craig had experience as a military instructor but initially took an IT support role with district schools after his military service. He became interested in teaching while working closely with experienced educators: “I would sit there and listen to some of the teachers that had been in their careers for 25 and 30 years,” he said. “And the more I listened to them and watched what they were doing, I was like, yeah, I do want to do this.”
He later helped start a telecommunications program—the first of its kind in a Colorado public school—and has spent five years teaching fiber optics, networking, and wireless communications.
Reflecting on his approach to teaching shaped by military experience, Craig explained: “In the military, you’ve got 125 people all trying to get the same thing done, efficiently and effectively. We worked hard, and we played hard. But in the end, everyone was focused on achieving the same goal.” He brings similar expectations for teamwork into his classroom.
Both see their military background influencing how they relate to students rather than enforcing strict discipline or hierarchy. Living in Colorado Springs—a city with strong military ties—Angie noted how this shapes student experiences: “We are lucky to live in this town that’s military, that the kids do have an understanding.” She connects lessons to places she served or visited; many students relate due to frequent moves or family members who serve.
Students often ask Craig about his service; he responds thoughtfully: “To serve in the military is a very personal choice as a human being,” he said. “I don’t push the military on my students, but I share experiences and the benefits that I got. Not only to see the world, but to be a part of something so much greater than you recognize.”
He also wants students to appreciate civic responsibility: “I’ve deployed to countries where you don’t get to elect your monarch. I’ve been in countries where you don’t get to choose your dictators. We have something pretty special here,” he said.
The Seays apply values learned during their service—commitment, support for others—to their work as educators today.
