Troops to Teachers Helps Military Personnel and Students

Troops to Teachers is a program that focuses on helping former military personnel build rewarding careers as public school teachers. In addition to providing job training and transition assistance for military personnel, Troops to Teachers also aims to place teachers in school districts facing teacher shortages or serving a large number of low-income families.

What Is the Troops to Teachers Program?

The Troops to Teachers Program is primarily a referral and counseling service that provides transition assistance to soldiers looking for a civilian career. If you are interested in becoming a public school teacher, you can receive assistance in determining which subject or grade level you are interested in teaching. You can also receive help in researching which school districts and which states are in need of teachers, what certificates or credentials are needed to teach in those areas, and what the average salaries are for teaching in those districts.

Financial Assistance Through Troops to Teachers

Military personnel are often eligible for a number of military education benefits, which provide financial aid to service members pursing the necessary credentials to teach in a specific area. In addition to these programs, the Troops to Teachers Program offers two additional sources of financial assistance.

• Stipends of up to $5,000 are available to service members entering the Troops to Teachers Program if they agree to teach for three years in a school designated as high need by the Troops to Teachers Program. The stipend may be used for costs associated with obtaining the certificate or credentials needed to teach in this area.
• Bonuses of $10,000 are available to service members entering the Troops to Teachers Program if they agree to teach for three years in a school in a high-need area that also has a high percentage of students from low income families.

Who Is Eligible for the Troops to Teachers Program?

Active-duty personnel are eligible for financial assistance under the Troops to Teachers Program if they have at least six years of service and a bachelor's or master's degree. Additionally, you must either currently be in a teacher certification program, be a licensed teacher, or have six years of relevant work experience and at least one year of college.

Members of the Selected Reserve are eligible for counseling and referral services after six years, but must have at least ten years of service to be eligible the the financial benefits under the Troops to Teachers program.

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