RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Military spouses who want to make a difference in the lives of children can now do so, thanks to a program that gives them the opportunity to become teachers.
They can take the first steps toward a teaching career May 20 when the Randolph Airman and Family Readiness Center hosts a Spouses to Teachers reception from 6:30-8 p.m.
The Spouses to Teachers program is open to spouses of active-duty military personnel, reserve and National Guard members who want to teach in grades K-12 in public, private, charter or Department of Defense Dependent Schools, according to the Spouses to Teacher Web site.
Vicki Beaudoin, A&FRM community readiness consultant, said the program was recently set up by the Department of Defense to help advise military spouses on what they need to do to obtain their teacher certification and how they can get the financial assistance to make it possible.
"We want to make it easier for military spouses to get into the programs they will need to obtain their teacher certification," Ms. Beaudoin said. "There are so many military spouses who want to go out and work in the community school system, but they do not know where to start. At least this program gives them a point of contact for them to start."
Ms. Beudoin said the DoD decided to launch the Spouses to Teachers program because of the success of the Troops to Teachers program, which for the last 14 years has helped thousands of retired and retiring servicemembers become educators after their service.
"We need good teachers," she said. "There was a need for a program like this from military spouses who were asking me how they could become teachers, too. We want to train these spouses as teachers in the areas in which they will live."
Ms. Beaudoin said military spouses who want to become teachers should bring any educational and training records they have to the Spouses to Teachers event so that program representatives can better direct them to the resources they will need to obtain their teacher certification.
People who sign up for the program could possibly be reimbursed up to $600 for the costs of teacher certification examinations.
To reserve a spot for the Spouses to Teachers event, contact Beaudoin at 652-5321, ext. 233, or send e-mail to
vicki.beaudoin@randolph.af.mil.
Information on the Texas Spouses to Teachers program can be found at
www.esc13.net/spouses.