Today is Veterans Day in the United States. I offer my profound gratitude to all of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. There is no greater service than risking your life for the protection of others.
Thank you. That is the most important part of today’s post.
Did You Know There is a Program That Helps Veterans Become Educators?
I’m proud to have had grandparents that served in World War II and to have served myself (much later) in the United States Marine Corps. We all chose to continue our service in different ways.
Today, I want to share information about Troops to Teaching, a program that helps service members interested in teaching transition to a career in education. You can find full information about the program at the very appropriate URL: ProudToServeAgain.com
Though my transition was not direct, I can personally speak to how serving in the military and then again in the classroom aligned perfectly with my desire to serve others, and our nation. You know I believe that education is a viable path to financial freedom – I enthusiastically endorse it for any service members looking for a next career.
I’m thrilled to take the opportunity to provide an overview of the Troops to Teachers program. Share it with anyone in your life who might be interested.
Every service member interested in a career in teaching will receive assistance to transition his or her leadership, training, and core values to teaching in kindergarten through grade twelve schools.
– Troops to Teachers Vision
Troops to Teachers began in 1993 and expanded in 2013. The program was created to reduce unemployment among veterans, increase male and minority teachers in schools, and address teacher shortages in critical areas that may be well served by former military members.
Is the Program Right For You?
Eligibility
All current and former members are eligible to apply to the program. Some of the program supports require that you apply within three years of separating from active duty.
Is Teaching Right For you?
Eligibility is only part of the choice though. Teaching, much like military service, requires an orientation to service. You can absolutely be financially successful as an educator, but you can make more money elsewhere. There are also aspects of teaching that can be frustrating to those used to a more controlled or structured environment.
You cannot just order students into learning and sometimes have to work with challenging stakeholders.
If you’re ready to work with kids, wherever they’re at, and flex with their individual challenges while dealing with sometimes burdensome rules and policies (sound familiar?) then teaching might be right for you.
I found my military service to be a huge benefit because of the ability to stay calm no matter the situation, unlike many peers who have only worked in education. The military experience of meeting people from myriad backgrounds also prepared me well.
You will make a difference in hundreds of lives and help strengthen our democracy. If you’re unsure if teaching is right for you, don’t hesitate to email me. I’m always glad to discuss our profession.
What the Program Provides
To support your transition, Troops for Teachers offers key supports.
Counseling
The program will provide guidance and support with education program requirements and state licensing needs.
While this information is available online it can be hard to track down, confusing, and sometimes contradictory. Counseling services to navigate these complexities is a helpful benefit!
Financial Assistance
Individuals who meet certain requirements may be eligible for financial assistance in the form of a stipend or bonus. Eligible members can receive up to a total $10,000 to support the transition to teaching.
Stipend
Stipends of up to $5000 are available for eligible participants to help with gaining the required education, certification, and license. You must be enrolled in an accredited institution and commit to full-time teaching in an eligible or high needs school for a period of at least three years.
Bonus
Participants may receive a bonus of up to $10,000 to teach in an eligible or high needs school.
What Schools Qualify as Eligible or High Needs?
- An Eligible School is defined as one where the Free/Reduced Cost Lunch Percentage is 30% or more, at least 13% of students enrolled qualify for assistance under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or a Bureau of Indian Affairs funded school.
- A High Needs School is defined as one where the Free/Reduced Cost Lunch percentage is 50% or more for public middle or elementary schools, 40% or more for public high schools, or eligible under 6211(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which covers rural schools.
The total of a stipend and bonus cannot exceed $10,000 per individual.
For more details on financial assistance and eligibility, click here.
Employment Assistance
You have direct access to eligible job posts as part of the program and Troops to Teachers program specialists can help you navigate the job market.
Mentorship
The Troops to Teacher website says a mentorship program is under development. I don’t have any more information. If you do, please let me know and I will update this section!
Next Steps
If you have a veteran in your life who may be interested in education, share this information with them immediately!
If you are a veteran, check out the process and FAQ. If the program is right for you, you can through the application link on Proud To Serve Again.
If you’re curious about how to use education to build a path to financial independence, check out more of EducatorFI.com. In particular, you may be interested in the Quick Guide to Making More Money as an Educator and reading the Educator on FIOR series.
Troops to Teachers: A Great Path to Continued Service
Had you heard of this program before?
I’m grateful to all who have served in our Armed Forces. I’m also a passionate advocate for public education. It’s so great to provide an avenue for transition to new kinds of service.
If you’ve successfully used the Troops to Teachers program, I’d love to hear from you and feature your story!
There are so many great veterans programs out there! My husband went through trade school and they had additional military benefits through their worker retraining program as well.
That’s awesome! I didn’t actually know about Troops to Teachers until recently. It’s important to have these programs, I’ve had several friends struggle with the transition out.