Ehlers brings Naval experience back to FM

FORT MADISON - Mike Ehlers, Fort Madison High School social studies teacher, was recently selected by Centers of Influence Educator Program to attend a four-day tour of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he learned what the life of a U.S. Naval Academy student looks like.
The U.S. Naval Academy uses the Center of Influence Educators program to inform educators so they can better prepare their own students that are interested in becoming Midshipmen.
According to Ehlers, the U.S. Navy Superintendent Lieutenant General Michael J. Borgschulte said the academy is planning on doubling their applications, and they are  not going to get to 32,000 applications if they don’t have educators working with them to send the best and brightest students.
Ehlers said the group went on a campus exploration and tour, experiencing naval ship training simulator, observing cadets training with hand-to-hand combat and wrestling, observing highly advanced science and engineering courses, and getting to talk to four cadets during a midshipman panel.
Ehlers got the opportunity to observe a real time water survival training exercise of a cadet being pushed off into the water and tested on improvising a floatation device with their uniform pants.
One of Ehlers’ favorite parts of the trip was getting to see the dining hall world where the naval academy students eat. He said normally visitors are not let in to the dining hall, but they were allowed to sit and eat at the tables next to them.
“You’ve got 4,400 midshipmen all inside this huge hall eating family style. It was incredible to see.”

Another favorite part of the trip for Ehlers was listening to Borgschulte speak. Ehlers admired how dedicated he was to nurturing the cadets. Borgschulte said potential students need grit and toughness, and have to be willing to work hard and serve something bigger than themselves.
“It almost made me wish I was younger and could still apply. I think this guy could sell anything,” Ehlers said.
Borgschulte emphasized embracing technology and AI, but teaching cadets to use it responsibly, and Ehlers says that applies to students in high school as well.
“His goal is to get the best of the best of the best. Less than 10% of the kids who apply ever get into the Academy, so he wants to increase that, and educators are part of that effort.”
The trip to the academy gave Ehlers an in depth understanding of the resources, experiences, and pathways available to students who are dedicated to the long process of applying to the academy.
Ehlers talked about Lauren Otte, a 2023 graduate of Fort Madison High School who was inducted into the Naval Academy Class of 2027. He said watching her go through the rigorous application and interview process for the Naval Academy made him realize how important it is to guide students through these unique and fruitful opportunities.
Going forward, Ehlers wants to be more involved with helping students embrace AI in the classroom and through the process of applying for the Academy. From physical requirements to applying and connecting with the right people, Ehlers wants them to know what they need to do to be successful.
“They want people who are going to be leaders because the people who graduate from the service academies, they're going to be in leadership roles. They're gonna have to make tough decisions. And so that's what they're looking for.”