He started as a seventh-grade teacher in Madera , then joined the Birney Elementary School staff in Fresno Unified as a fourth-grade teacher . He said he would never have left Birney had the JROTC job at Duncan not become available in 2021 .
“ I love it , I really do ,” Frank said . “ The goal is to make sure students have the skills they need to be good , contributing citizens to our society . Anything else is icing on the cake .”
He said his favorite part of the job is seeing timid students emerge as leaders because of their JROTC experiences .
“ I really enjoy seeing their growth over the years , seeing them come out of their shells . That ’ s my joy of doing the job – that transformation ,” Frank said .
The JROTC program is similar to a real military unit in that students can ascend to higher ranks and leadership positions based on their abilities .
The most advanced students eventually lead the cadets , not their teachers . Along with the Duncan Air
Force JROTC , Fresno and
Top : Michael Frank , an aeronautics teacher at Duncan Polytechnical High School and a retired technical sergeant , shares a laugh with students during flight bonding time between older and younger cadets in the school ’ s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps .
Below : In 2023 , one of Michael Frank ’ s students , Karen Vathanaphong , was honored during a flight suit ceremony . Karen is now attending UC Santa Barbara .
McLane high schools have Army JROTC programs .
Frank said Duncan ’ s JROTC is , “ a far cry from the usual high school experience .”
“ The students love it . It builds confidence ,” Frank said . “ They ’ re getting their voice , their confidence in their abilities .”
Cadet Jasmine L . Ramirez said the program is preparing her for a successful future .
“ It ’ s providing me with countless discipline and leadership trainings and lessons that are relevant and applicable to jobs in the workforce . The program has inspired me to enlist in the U . S . Air Force after high school as I ' d like to keep pursuing these leadership roles in the military setting ,” Jasmine said .
Frank has led the cadets to excel in recent years in drills and athletic competitions against other JROTC units and the team is ranked No . 1 in their region . Cadets can also compete in color guard , academic achievement , and both armed and unarmed drill teams .
Cadets also can earn certificates of completion after four years of AFJROTC . A certificate is equal to two military promotions should a cadet pursue the military . Frank said about 20 % of Duncan cadets go into the service .
Duncan Principal Eric Martinez said Frank has been an “ amazing addition ” to Duncan .
“ He has a unique ability to bring in his past career experiences to engage the cadets in a manner that brings out the best in them . I appreciate how he gives his all in everything he does for our school and students ,” Martinez said .
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