LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
On May 7, Lackland hosted the second annual Veterans in the Classroom Job Fair.
The event, which was sponsored by USAA, featured 10 San Antonio area school districts, colleges from the local area and alternative certification program representatives. These groups were available to answer questions and help military personnel take their next step toward teaching in the classroom.
"I think the best thing about it was that we had both the colleges offering classes and the school districts looking to fill positions. It was like killing two birds with one stone," said Cindy Ybanez, 37th Mission Support Squadron. "Anybody who had a question about either side of the process could have it answered."
According to Ms. Ybanez, 140 people attended the job fair.
"We had a great response," said Ms. Ybanez. "Some veterans that didn't have access to the base were even calling to get sponsored on."
All of the school districts combined reported that there were more than 50 "strong and viable" job candidates that visited their booths.
"I know for a fact that there are teachers in the classroom because of the job fair we conducted here last year," said Barbara Gentry, USAA Marketing Relations vice president.
Ms. Gentry and Ms. Ybanez coordinated the event.
Military personnel from Brooks City-Base, Fort Sam Houston and Randolph AFB were also invited to attend the job fair.
Some of the military members were just beginning to look into classes to obtain teacher certification, while others had been certified and were ready to begin interviewing.
"It felt like we had more qualified candidates this year," Ms. Ybanez said.
One of the attendees, Master Sgt. Timothy Grant, Cyber Analysis Squadron, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, has considered teaching as a career move after his retirement for some time now.
"I used to teach technical school, so I knew that teaching was something I wanted to do," Sergeant Grant said. "I found out what all the requirements were, and I thought this would be an easy transition for me."
Sergeant Grant will be retiring within the next two months and is eager to see where his new career field will take him.
"I have one more semester of school left, and in the fall I am going to attend school full time and take it from there," he said.
Representatives from school districts are eager to meet with military members because they feel they have a lot of the same characteristics necessary to be a successful teacher.
"People with military backgrounds have patience, self-discipline and perseverance," said Elizabeth Gates, an administrative assistant for Fort Sam Houston Independent School District. "Teaching is a very rewarding career field, but it's one that requires a lot of patience. I think anyone who is willing to serve the children is going to be successful."
Lackland is planning to host another job fair around the same time next year in May.
For more information on teaching after a military career, contact Ms. Ybanez at 671-3722.