In the fifth episode of “The 2023 UCF VLP Institute Podcast Series,” the “after-hours” edition continued as Sebastian Garcia spoke with two other teachers, Anne Makay (11th-grade U.S. history teacher at Clearwater High School) and Sgt. Maj. Ray Fullard (JROTC Instructor at Edgewater High School) at the hotel after the Day 7 program of the Institute.

Anne Makay’s fascinating candor throughout the conversation further revealed with remarkable clarity the indelible impact and significance the Institute had on the K12 teachers for their profession and in memorializing Veterans. She shared her takeaways on learning how to teach Veterans history, its relevance, and how this Institute has given her tremendous confidence to do so. Sgt. Maj. Ray Fullard’s experience as a Marine and participation in this Institute undoubtedly transformed the episode, as it was a completely different and unique perspective not heard of previously. Conflating their distinctive views ultimately provided greater insights as to why the work being done by UCF VLP matters.

This episode was directed, produced, written, edited, and hosted by Sebastian Garcia, and featured Anne Makay and Sgt. Major Ray Fullard.

Executive Producers: Sebastian Garcia and Dr. Amelia Lyons.

Music: “Honor and Glory” and “Real Heroes” by SergePavkinMusic (Pixabay)

Podcast Cover Artwork: Sebastian Garcia

The 2023 UCF VLP Institute Podcast Series is brought to you by the UCF Department of History and UCF’s Veterans Legacy Program—a partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration.