Teaching as a second career: Troops to Teachers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jenay Randolph
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Education Center hosted a Troops to Teachers Seminar, Feb. 19, 2014 at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Troops to Teachers is a nation-wide program that transitions military service members to educators.

It was created by the Department of Defense in 1994 to help eligible military personnel begin a new career as teachers in public schools where their skills, knowledge and experience are most needed.

"The program establishes a connection with individuals that are interested and would make good educators with the public school systems," explains Ron Burton, Troops to Teachers Florida and Caribbean Islands regional director. "It provides an avenue for service members to continue to give back to the community even after their military careers."

During the seminar, representatives from Hillsborough and Polk County school districts, along with Hillsborough Community College explained different options for teaching and obtaining certification.

HCC offers Educator Preparation Institute program to assist troops in obtaining teacher's certification. The college has been working with participants of Troops to Teachers since its development and has graduated more than 1,000 teachers that work in over approximately 250 schools.

"This career transition is just a civilian equivalent; the program gives beneficial knowledge about becoming a teacher and the options that exist," expressed U.S. Navy Chief James Thorpe, Troops to Teachers participant. "This information is important for senior leadership who enjoyed training and developing our troops throughout our military careers."

The program provides easy access to information regarding how to obtain a certification, district and employer requirements, the job market and how to be marketable, employment research, and financial assistance that is available to those who qualify.

It also provides services that includes a teaching skills profiler, certification profiles, and live body vice computerized systems, all of which aids in the process of making the transition.

"This is a wonderful program that produces so many great teachers," said Dr. Mary Ann Ratliff, program director of the EPI program at HCC. "It is a nice transition from the military life because a lot of the skills practiced in the military are good skills for teaching in a classroom environment."

For more information visit www.proudtoserveagain.com or email Ron Burton at TroopstoTeacher@FAU.EDU.