Troops to Teachers (TTT) was established in 1994 as a Department of Defense program. The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2000 transferred the responsibility for program oversight and funding to the U.S. Department of Education but continued operation by the Department of Defense. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 provides for the continuation of TTT through Fiscal Year (FY) 2006. TTT is managed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), Pensacola , Florida.

The purpose of TTT is to assist eligible military personnel to transition to a new career as public school teachers in “high-need” schools. A network of State TTT Offices has been established to provide participants with counseling and assistance regarding certification requirements, routes to state certification, and employment leads. The TTT homepage provides information and resource links, including a job referral system to allow participants to search for job vacancies as well as links to state Departments of Education, state certification offices, model resumes, and other job listing sites in public education. As of December 2007, over 10,500 Troops to Teachers participants have been hired nationally in public schools through the program.

Goals and Objectives

Reflecting the focus of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the primary objective of TTT is to help recruit quality teachers for schools that serve low-income families throughout America . TTT helps relieve teacher shortages, especially in math, science, special education and other high-needs subject areas, and assists military personnel in making successful transitions to second careers in teaching.

Funding has been appropriated for FY 2008 to provide financial assistance to eligible participants, provide placement assistance, referral services, and maintain a network of state offices. Military personnel interested in a second career in public education may submit a registration form.

Pending availability of funds, financial assistance may be provided to eligible individuals as stipends up to $5K to help pay for teacher certification costs or as bonuses of $10K to teach in schools serving a high percentage of students from low-income families. Participants who accept the Stipend or Bonus must agree to teach for three years in schools that serve students from low-income families in accordance with the authorizing legislation.

Proud to Serve Again!

As the teacher shortage continues to grow, school districts are increasingly turning to TTT to find new teacher candidates.  School districts that hire one military veteran through TTT almost always come back looking for more “just like him/her.”  Military veterans have established a reputation as excellent teachers and exemplary role models for today’s students.  The leadership skills, breadth of experience, dedication, commitment and maturity that our former marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen bring to the classroom are attributes sought by public school administrators and parents.  If you are considering teaching as a second career, register online or submit a Registration Form to Troops to Teachers and join the thousands of other military veterans who are “Proud to Serve Again.”

The Troops to Teachers program is designed to assist separating or retiring military personnel in pursuing a rewarding second career in public education (elementary, secondary or vocational) while also facilitating employment in public schools. School districts are looking to fill teacher shortages in math, science, and special education classrooms. Other opportunities are sometimes available in elementary, language arts, social sciences, world languages and vocational education. Employers are showing a great interest in individuals with prior military service who can provide positive role models for the nation's public school students. The program serves as a link between interested military personnel and education-related agencies, such as traditional teacher licensure programs, alternative certification programs, school districts, state licensing agencies, V.A. offices, and college placement departments.

Troops to Teachers provides three types of assistance to qualifying veterans.

• INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING:  Staff will develop a customized plan for individuals to help them reach their teaching goals. This includes providing information on how to become a teacher in a designated state.

• FINANCIAL SUPPORT:  For those participants who qualify, up to $10,000 is available in financial assistance. Two different financial assistance programs exist.

  Stipend Program

  Troops to Teachers will reimburse the costs incurred to earn a teaching credential up to a maximum of $5,000. In return for this assistance, the participant agrees to teach for three years in an economically disadvantaged school district.

  Bonus Program

  A participant will receive a bonus of $10,000 to teach for three years in a school where 50% or more of the student body are eligible for free or reduced cost lunch programs. The bonus is paid over multiple years.

  Maximum Cap

  There is a $10,000 cap on the amount any one individual may receive from Troops to Teachers. The above two programs may be combined, however no more than a total of $10,000 will be paid to an individual participant.

• PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE:

  Job Listings

  Most school districts participate in a common job bank. Assistance is provided in how to best utilize job search tools and techniques.

  Network Building

  Staff members visit school districts to build a network of administrators who are aware of the special talent gained when TTT participants are hired. This network building also identifies which subject areas the school districts are currently seeking to hire.

  Interview Preparation

  Teacher job interviews are unlike most other meetings. These interviews can be confusing and frustrating to mid-career changers, such as TTT participants. Staff members assist participants in preparing for these interviews through counseling, video, and written study guides.

**Please note that Troops to Teachers does NOT hire anyone or guarantee jobs!

In most states, Troops to Teachers does not train or certify teachers, but rather helps you to find and enter the programs that do. Then, if you are eligible, Troops to Teachers provides financial assistance in the form of stipends or bonuses. Becoming a teacher with the assistance of TTT needs to be viewed as three distinct processes occurring at the same time. Some individuals begin teaching before becoming fully certified.

• TTT Registration. To receive funds, you must register with TTT, request financial assistance, and then later fulfill the required 3-year teaching commitment in a high need school or district.
• Certification. You must fulfill the certification requirements of your desired state, often by participating in a teacher certification program.
• Finding a job. Obtaining a position is your responsibility. The TTT national and state support offices assist with certification and job hunting advice but are unable to perform employment agency functions.

For some individuals, registering in TTT, pursuing certification, and job hunting can occur almost simultaneously.

The Self-Determination Eligibility Guide found at the National Troops to Teachers web site provides the best and most up-to-date information on applicant eligibility. As the national office at the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) is the final authority on all eligibility issues, we recommend you contact them directly if you have any questions.

The Mountain Pacific Troops to Teachers (MPTTT) office will assist you in identifying licensing pathways, teaching opportunities, and understanding your state's certification requirements. If you want to be a teacher, MPTTT wants to help you!

NOTE: Former military personnel currently serving as certified teachers may qualify to use the stipend or bonus to seek an additional endorsement, particularly in high need areas such as math, science, and special education.

To view a 1-page eligibility criteria document, click here. 

ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Individuals in th efollowing categories may apply for financial assistance:
(AD = Active Duty, RC = Reserve Component)

AD-1 Retired from active duty.

AD-2 Active duty member with approved date of retirement and has one year or less remaining before retirement.

AD-3 Separated on or after 8 Jan 02 for physical disability. Must apply within four years after separation.

AD-4 Involuntarily discharged from active duty between 1 Oct 90 and 30 Sep 99 due to a Reduction in Force (RIF) and had six or more years of continuous active duty. Must apply by 30 Sep 03.

RC-1 Retired from the drilling reserves.

RC-2 Currently serving in the drilling reserves with 10 or more years of creditable service towards retirement and commit to serving an additional three years or until eligible for retirement.

RC-3 Drillling reservists separated due to a physical disability on or after 8 Jan 02. Must apply within four years after separation.

RC-4 Transitioned from active duty on or after 8 Jan 02, and have served six years on active duty immediately before separation, and commit to three years with a drilling reserve unit.

OBLIGATIONS

Individuals receiving financial assistance must agree to teach for three years. Reserve personnel must also commit to continue their reserve service for an additional three years or agree to continue reserve service until eligibile for retirement, whichever is less.

ELIGIBILITY FOR REFERRAL AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Active duty personnel, who retired or separated with six or more years of service on or after 1 Oct 90, and current members of the Reserve or Guard with six or more years of creditable service towards retirement, may register for Referral and Placement Assistance and Services. Individuals registering for Referral and Placement Assistance Services must also meet the Educational and Service requirements noted above.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Elementary or Secondary Education: Baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution at the time of application.

Vocational/Technical Education: Associates degree (or minimum of one year of college) and six years of work experience in a vocational or technical field. Eligible for vocational referral and, if applicable, vocational certification expenses only.

SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

An individual is eligible to participate in the program only if the last period of service was honorable.

A self-screening tool to help determine your eligibility is available at
www.proudtoserveagain.com

http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_Web/library/docs/ttt/RegistrationForms.pdf