Far from the political stalemate in Washington, D.C., the repercussions of the government shutdown are echoing globally. While President Trump has managed to ensure U.S. troops receive temporary payments, many others at military bases, including teachers and support staff, are not as fortunate.
Donna Irwin, a temporary educator at an Italian naval base, expressed her frustration with the situation. “It was truly awful to witness, and it’s really affecting the morale in the school,” she remarked.
Lawmakers caution that disruptions from the shutdown could lead to substantial military waste and jeopardize readiness.
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) oversees 161 schools across various time zones, spanning 11 countries, seven states, and two territories. Approximately 900,000 military children live globally, with 67,000 attending DoD schools supported by over 14,000 staff members.
In a statement, Jessica Tuckaberry, who heads communications operations for the Defense Department, mentioned the commitment to delivering high-quality education while acknowledging the hardships faced by educators and staff who are working without pay. “We’re keeping an eye on the situation and will offer necessary support and guidance to our personnel,” she said.
Presently, athletics and extracurriculars are being treated as exceptional activities.
Irwin feels fortunate that her husband still has a salary from the Navy, but they are adjusting their finances since half of their income is impacted. Even when the government reopens, she worries it might take time to recover the lost income.
House of Commons Conservative leader applauds Senate agreement to end shutdown, with a caveat.
“Especially in our situation, it feels like we’ve been forgotten. As Department of Defense contractors and military families, our roles are crucial for supporting the mission,” she remarked, emphasizing the importance of their work at these facilities.
Americans living abroad face a distinctive challenge. Many aren’t allowed to take side jobs off-base, which adds stress, especially when they have to explain to European landlords why their paychecks haven’t arrived, leaving them unable to cover rent or utilities.
“We often overlook our automatic payments—for streaming services, medical expenses. Then, suddenly, we’re rifling through our bank accounts and canceling important things like insurance or car payments,” Irwin said.
Despite the ongoing shutdown, educators maintain that their students remain the priority. Even if it entails buying snacks and supplies out of their own pockets, they are determined to fulfill their mission. Irwin works with special education students, teaching essential life skills like cooking and cleaning.
“Right now, our classroom doesn’t have the budget for these necessities, so we have to shop ourselves, trying to procure items we can’t afford for students who truly need them,” she explained. “What’s heartbreaking for me is seeing kids come in, not fully grasping the political unrest and looking worried. ‘Will I eat tomorrow? Today?'”
