An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : News
JBSA News
NEWS | Feb. 11, 2010

Base to hold Troops to Teachers seminar

The state coordinator for the Troops to Teachers program will visit Lackland Feb. 19 to discuss a teaching career with interested servicemembers.

TTT helps retiring and separating military veterans transition into a career in the classroom through guidance and financial assistance while assisting with the nation's demand for educators.

Meryl Kettler, Texas TTT coordinator, said the program has been very successful in Texas, where it began in 1995. Of the 12,000 veterans who have become teachers through the program, 2,000 are from Texas.

In order to become a teacher, veterans must complete a teacher certification program. "We have a large military retiree population staying in Texas and seeking second careers. Also, (Texas) has the largest number of alternative certification programs offering fully-paid teaching internships to people completing their certification," she said.

Representatives from area alternative teacher certification programs will be available during the seminar to provide information on teacher preparation and licensure.

The program is generally open to military personnel and veterans who:

- have retired, or will soon retire, from active duty, the Reserve or the Guard;

- possess or are eligible for an honorable discharge;

- separated after Oct. 1, 1990, with more than 6 years of service;

- are Reserve Component personnel currently serving and who have more than 10 years of service.

To determine eligibility, visit the online Self Determination Eligibility Guide at www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/troopstoteachers/eligibility.asp.

Ms. Kettler said military retirees and reservists are teaching all subjects, at all levels, and in all kinds of schools. Overall, 65 percent of the most recent hires from TTT are teaching in a high-needs school or in high demand subject areas including math, science or special education.

In addition to addressing the national teacher shortage, TTT supports other educational goals, such as increasing the number of male teachers and increasing the ethnic diversity of teachers, she said.

Through TTT, financial aid is available to eligible military retirees, as well as certain long-term reservists or Nation-al Guard members in drilling status.

An applicant can receive up to $5,000 to pay for the costs of a teacher certification program.

Additionally, those teaching on a high-needs campus may qualify to receive a $10,000 incentive bonus, according to Ms. Kettler.

Certification programs are available as a university degree program or through an alternative certification program in which a candidate completes accreditation while being paid as a full-time teacher.

TTT helps eligible veterans find the most appropriate certification program to meet their specific needs.

The Teaching as a Second Career Seminar will be held Feb. 19, 1-4 p.m., at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 1249.

To register for the seminar, call Terryca Fuller at 671-3722.

For more information about Texas TTT, visit www.texastroopstoteachers.org.