Eagle Ridge middle school history teacher, Mr. Clapero, is well-known for his engaging teaching style, complete with World War I paper battles and 20th century factory-life simulations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, he is not the only one in his family to be fully dedicated to his work. His wife, Captain Elizabeth Clapero, serves in the United States Army and is currently deployed to the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of Veterans Day recently commemorated at Eagle Ridge to honor America\u2019s soldiers, the Claperos are shining examples of what it means to be \u201c…better people, prepared to lead abundant and responsible lives as contributing members of our great country,\u201d as the vision of Eagle Ridge says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mrs. Clapero has served in the United States military since 2003, joining right out of high school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have a phrase in the military called \u2018embrace the suck,\u2019\u201d said Mrs. Clapero when recounting memories of bootcamp. She spoke of its physical and mental demand, but also mentioned how fun it was. \u201cI hadn\u2019t shot before. All of a sudden they give you a gun and you have to learn how to shoot it. It\u2019s amazing what they did in a matter of nine weeks.\u201d Along with the many mental and physical tests she endured, she also recalls learning to eat really fast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following bootcamp, Mrs. Clapero finished Advanced Individual Training (AIT), and for a while fixed radios and satellite communication systems in Iraq. She also installed systems into trucks that prevented roadside bomb detonations. As an officer, she now handles what she calls the \u201cbeans and bullets\u201d of the operation by managing contracts, the dining facilities on bases, and any other needs of the military, such as managing paperwork for acquiring weapons or even getting turkeys in time for Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mrs. Clapero travels to many different countries for her work. Right now she is stationed in Kuwait where she frequents the nearby cities in the area. \u201cI call this place Camp Cupcake to be honest,\u201d she said in comparison to other military posts, such as the ones in Iraq. In Kuwait, she enjoys a Starbucks within sight and good dining facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One anecdote she shared about her life in Kuwait is the daily struggle with doves she experiences. \u201cI don\u2019t know what else to say, they\u2019re not smart birds,\u201d she said. These doves create a messy dilemma involving other animals that live within the city, especially cats. \u201cThe cats will kill for food, and then they\u2019ll kill for sport…you just become strangely used to little pieces of dead doves everywhere.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Clapero, too, has had his own experiences overseas which have shaped his views on his wife\u2019s work. Last year, he had the opportunity to visit the countries of Oman and Qatar through the organization Qatar Foundation International (QFI). \u201cIt actually made me feel better about my wife going over there,\u201d he said. \u201cI think you have stereotypes and it broke down those barriers for me. I know that most people in the Middle East are genuinely good people, very positive and wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This life as a military family is not devoid of hardships, however. Both Mr. and Mrs. Clapero stated that one of the biggest struggles for their family is separation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the hardest thing,\u201d Mrs. Clapero said. \u201cI\u2019m always thinking about them. Our oldest two [children] started wrestling and it\u2019s just killing me to not be able to see them do it. I missed all their birthdays this year too…it hurts. It hurts to miss those big parts of their childhood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mrs. Clapero\u2019s absence also weighs heavy on Mr. Clapero as he faces the added challenges of balancing homework, school, and meal prep when his wife is deployed. \u201cAnytime you have one parent there are things you\u2019re missing out on because two people can help better than one,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, there have been members of the Eagle Ridge Academy community that have reached out to help. \u201cThere\u2019s a parent at school, Mrs. Orr, who provides me a meal every Tuesday, amazing person, and that makes my life so much easier,\u201d Mr. Clapero said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mrs. Clapero, too, had thanks to give to Mrs. Orr showing that citizenship extends across oceans. \u201cIt means a lot to me knowing that my kids are being taken care of; that somebody does care; that we aren\u2019t just some invisible family on the block.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mrs. Clapero also recalled the kind act of another person, Mrs. Hoffman, who sent cards to her. \u201cThose make my day,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. and Mrs. Clapero wholeheartedly believe that those who help our men and women in uniform make a huge impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are interested in helping service members she suggests helping their families first. Packages are also appreciated, although Mrs. Clapero does give one small caveat: \u201cDon\u2019t send us Girl Scout cookies. We get inundated with them.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eagle Ridge middle school history teacher, Mr. Clapero, is well-known for his engaging teaching style, complete with World War I paper battles and 20th century factory-life simulations. However, he is not the only one in his family to be fully dedicated to his work. His wife, Captain Elizabeth Clapero, serves in the United States Army …<\/p>\n