NBC News ran a piece last night on a program that has been around awhile but is getting more traction with teacher shortages. It is called Troops To Teachers or TTT for short. Here is a brief overview from a Veterans’ website.
“Troops To Teachers was created in 1993 to help service members, military retirees and other veterans gain education and start new careers as kindergarten through 12th grade teachers in public schools, charter schools, and Bureau of Indian Education schools.
The general idea is for those leaving military service to get assistance to accomplish these goals, but in order to get financial aid from the program the applicant must start before retiring or separating from military service….
The Troops To Teachers official site lists a variety of program benefits, but the one most will initially be interested in is the $5,000 stipend or $10,000 bonus (depending on eligibility). We’ll cover more about that below but other TTT benefits include:
- Transition assistance
- One-on-one counseling
- Assistance with state teacher certification and licensing
- Connections with hiring officials
- Mentorship
These services are free to the applicant and there may also be state-level Troops To Teachers programs or resources available depending on the state.”
This idea is terrific. With a shortage of teachers, especially STEM teachers, the program is much needed. Per the NBC News piece, the kids in a high school class with a Navy veteran were sharing lessons learned from their teacher veteran about getting stuff done and done on time. Accountability and responsibility are key tenets of the teaching as well. The teacher also spoke of what it means to him to help out with our most important resources – students.
From the website link (see below), the veteran must apply withing three years of leaving the service. To me, even if the veteran learns teaching is not for them, it puts them on a path to figure out better what they want to do. But, for those who stick it out, the lessons they can give could be dramatic. This is a very cool idea in my view.
Troops To Teachers (TTT) Program
musingsofanoldfart 
What a terrific initiative!
Thanks Yvette. I was just telling Jill I had not heard of the idea, but it is terrific, as you said. Keith
This is a great program, Keith! Why are we just now hearing about it! Veterans have so much to offer … so much of value for young students. I love the concept!
Jill, I had not heard of it either, but it is an absolutely terrific idea. Keith
Sounds like an, amazing program, to help the veterans, get back into the, normal routines of their lives after returning from war, and they can, also, pass their, life’s, experiences to the, younger generations, a great way, for these veterans’, stories, to, become, a sort of a, heritage.
Totally agree.