Eighteen
years ago, the federal government established the Troops to Teachers
program. The purpose of the program was
to help military veterans become teachers[i]. Understanding that teachers are crucial to
the success of future generations and the nation, the creation of Troops to
Teachers fulfilled two needs.
The
first need was to aid the transition of military veterans to civilian
life. Providing recently discharged
veteran support as they transition into civilian life has been a difficult task
for the military. While the federal
government provides discharged veterans with opportunities to further their
education, unemployment and underemployment remain high. By providing discharged veterans with the
resources to obtain their teaching credentials, veterans are able to work at a
job with good benefits with an above average salary.
The
second need was to aid school districts with teacher shortage in critical needs
areas. Districts across the country are
struggling to hire teachers with credentials in math and science. Troops to Teachers helped to partially fill
the need as approximately 18% of veterans in the program obtained certification
in math and science[ii]. Districts were also struggling to retain
younger teachers who left due to disillusionment with teaching while older teachers left for retirement. Troops to Teachers provided districts with teachers
who are experienced in motivation, setting expectations, and providing the environment
for individuals to meet or exceed the expectations.
Although Troops to Teachers is
fulfilling a need for both the military and school districts, more investment
and marketing is needed to help increase the number of veterans’ transition to
teachers. At a time when teachers have
come under fire for the poor performance of students and scrutinized by the
public for the refusal of their union to offer concessions of the collective
bargaining, veterans are sorely needed to change the negative climate.
Increasing Troops to Teachers numbers
could reverse the negative perception of teachers and renew public confidence
in teachers. Veterans’ could model
leadership skills for students to emulate, they can instill a sense of discipline
and purpose which many feel is lacking among today’s students. Having served in the defense of our country, who
better than a Troop to Teacher to help students utilize their talents and
understand their importance to the future prosperity of the country.
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