LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Several programs exist through the Airman and Family Readiness Flight that make it easier to transition into and out of the military, and a few of them even offer career options for those who are leaving military life. One such program, Texas Troops to Teachers, exists to impart information and give assistance to those separating or retiring about teaching careers.
"If the service person who is leaving wants to become a teacher but isn't certified, they can go through this program and find out how to get certified," said Terryca Fuller, who heads up the program through the AFRF.
One reason Ms. Fuller said the program has been so successful is because schools might desire a more military-trained presence in the classroom. Through the Troops to Teachers program, exiting military personnel can have certification paid for.
"Men are needed in the classroom now," she said. "Schools would love to have the military man in there. Part of it is just because of what they've learned in the military. When a military person transitions out of the service, he has to come to our office to do pre-separation counseling. It's then that we inform him of this program."
The program, though, is not just for men. Women are included, whether they are service- members or spouses. A separate program, Spouses to Teachers, involves military spouses by giving them the funding for state testing required to become a teacher, though they still have to pay for the certification classes and any additional expenses incurred.
Meryl Kettler is the state coordinator for Troops to Teachers.
"We define success as individuals briefed and spouses briefed, and we've had extremely good reception at the briefings at Lackland," she said. "Over the course of Troops to Teachers' existence, more than 1800 Soldiers, Airmen, navy personnel and Reservists have become teachers in this state. San Antonio has one of the largest concentrations of veterans who have become teachers."
Though the program is open to all Lacklanders leaving the military, there are requirements the state of Texas has for certification and service requirements from the Air Force.
"Probably 70 to 75 percent of the people who participate are retirees," said Ms. Kettler. "That's a huge population. This program provides an avenue for an individual who wants to become a teacher to find out what their options are as far as certification programs and then also to receive benefits up to $5,000 per person for certification."
Ms. Kettler said an additional $5,000 is available to teachers who go to specified high-needs districts.
"About 60 percent of the people doing this program are teaching in high-needs districts and getting the full benefit," she said.
Participants incur a commitment to teach for three years in any Texas district that has 20 percent of the population below the poverty level. For more information, call the AFRF at 671-3722.