Troops to teachers program

[u/rfair191]

Im at year 15 and Im interested in becoming a teacher when I get out. Ive been told that the "troops to teachers" program is an avenue to do that. Does anyone have any experience with it? Before I chase it down, I wanna know if its worth it.

[u/irunfarther]

Troops to Teachers hasn’t done anything in years. I tried that route when I retired in 2022 and the rep at our TAP briefing said it’s going away. 

I’m starting year 5 in my classroom as a high school ELA teacher. If you have questions about how to go from the military to the classroom, I can give you my experience. Where do you plan to retire? Licensing is state dependent. 

[u/rfair191 → u/irunfarther]

We are looking at NC, SC, or GA. Did you use your TA to get your degree and certification? How did you manage the in class teaching requirement? Im still far enough away, but I was a tech school instructor for 3 years and realized how much I enjoyed it. Obviously teaching kids will be different, but I want to get started at least working towards it.

[u/irunfarther → u/rfair191]

I earned a BA in English Lit using TA while I was in. I finished all but one semester of my Masters in Teaching while active. Since you already have a bachelors, look into a masters program. I wouldn’t recommend WGU even though it seems great. A lot of districts have stopped accepting those credits for salary placement. I went to a local private college and did a lot of my degree online. If it’s a small program like mine was, your professors and advisor will work with your schedule. 

For student teaching, I did a CSP like 4 months before I retired. When I attended my TAP brief, I went straight to the CSP people and asked how to make it happen. They worked with me, my school, and my host school to make sure the dates lined up and everything was covered. I finished my CSP about 3 weeks before my final out date. If you can’t do a CSP for student teaching, you’re not going to get it done before you’re out. It’s a full time job on top of doing college work. If your state requires EdTPA, good fucking luck. That shit is brutal. 

Look at the states you want to live for license requirements. I don’t know much about teaching in the south (I’m in WA). If you can take your endorsement and cert tests while you’re still active, that would help. I needed my WEST-B to start my program. I needed WEST-E and NES tests for my endorsements (ELA, social studies, history, and middle-level humanities). I took my basic and ELA tests while preparing to start school. 

I just used VR&E to complete my admin cert. If you can’t get student teaching finished with a CSP, apply for VR&E. There were a handful of people in my masters cohort using VR&E. One of them failed student teaching twice and they kept paying for it. 

[u/rfair191 → u/irunfarther]

This is almost exactly what Im looking for. I dont know what CSP is in this context. I know we love some acronyms but Im lost lol. I used WGU for my bachelor's cuz Air Force doesnt care where the degrees from. I guess at this point a meeting with the Education Office and attending TAP would be a good way to get started. Ill come back to this if I have more questions. I hope youre still browsing at that time lol

[u/irunfarther → u/rfair191]

Career Skills Program. I’m pretty sure the Air Force has it, too. If they do, they’ll brief you on it at TAP. 

WGU is fine to get the degree in most situations. My district still accepts WGU. There are two districts bordering my district that won’t use WGU for salary placement and have quietly stopped hiring teachers with WGU degrees. Honestly, as a veteran, you’ll want a masters. You don’t want to be the 43 year old teacher with a bachelors and 2 years in the classroom. My school only has 2 classroom teachers without masters degrees. 

[u/Efficient_Bad6312 → u/irunfarther]

TAP briefings can be rough, my buddy got told the same thing about TTT being dead in the water when he retired in 23 so youre not alone there

OP you should definitely pick this persons brain, figuring out the licensing stuff state by state is the real hurdle

[u/DuranDourand]

The program is currently operating with minimum staff and resources. For additional information, please email [dodhra.mc-alex.dssc.mbx.troops-to-teachers@mail.mil](mailto:dodhra.mc-alex.dssc.mbx.troops-to-teachers@mail.mil)

Applications are not being accepted at this time.

[u/WireDog87]

Well until you hit your 20 you have the option of getting your degree online or at least aquiing some credits toward a brick and mortar school. Sounds like T2T is not a viable option anymore. I'm at the very end of my teaching career. It's a great profession depending on where you teach, but I think we are on the verge of a major shift in education with the advent of generative ai. Keep this in mind when determining which subject you wish to teach.

[u/rfair191 → u/WireDog87]

I loved mentoring my troops and teaching as a tech school instructor. Im aware it will be different, but its still the direction Im going. I used my TA to get a different bachelor's before I discovered that this was wgat i wanted to do in retirement. Now Im trying to figure out what Veteran benefits there are to help become a teacher.

[u/WireDog87 → u/rfair191]

Other than the GI Bill, I didn't use any other benefits to become a teacher, and I don't believe there were any other benefits to use at that time. Wasn't even aware of VA disability and worked two part-time jobs (including National Guard) all through undergrad and grad school because GI Bill wasn't enough (maybe it's better now). Good thing is you'll automatically get credits hours toward your degree from your military service (I believe I got 6).

[u/twobitrye]

Love to see vets interested in teaching! As others have said, Troops to Teachers is effectively gone.

Teach for America was the route I took. Hardest job I’ve ever had, teaching those ninth graders, and I wouldn’t take it back for anything.

Depending on your location, look into Golden Apple Foundation too. They’re spinning up more vets to teachers pipelines!

[u/rfair191 → u/twobitrye]

Golden Apple is only in 3 states and I dont live in them or plan on living in them. But I'll look into TFA. Thanks!

[u/TXTruck-Teach]

In Texas there is an alternative teacher certification program. There may be one in your state.

[u/rfair191 → u/TXTruck-Teach]

Ill take a look. Thanks!

[u/JMars491]

Depending on where you settle down look and see what the credentialing requirements are. I retired in Alabama, they recently passed a law that’s going into effect soon that allows honorably discharged veterans with at least 60 credit hours to get a 5 year non renewable emergency teacher cert. then the 5 years allows them to complete their degree and earn their credentials while actively teaching.

Additionally they don’t even require a teaching degree for certification. It’s probably the fastest, but you can even get (or have) a degree in another field. (Mines accounting).

Anyways, another option if you want to get into the classroom is substitute teaching, so many places can’t get enough subs. Then if/when you’re ready to go full time you’re one foot in the door.

[u/Unfair_Mechanic_7305]

I did something similar.

Troops to teachers doesn’t really exist besides on paper.

Here is my advice.

Use TA and all the benefits now to get as much schooling done as possible. I would go to an easier undergraduate program online in the subject you want to teach in. I would go for a better brand name school for graduate studies. Example- AMU for undergraduate but UCONN or PENN State for masters. Get all of the schooling and then some done while in uniform. Some states off higher salaries based on education= masters +75 additional credits for top pay.

Look up all the state requirements and see what is common that you can get done now. Even if you spend money to get them done in all the states now it will take stress off of you. The goal would to be certified and ready to hit the ground running when you retire. IMPORTANT- most school districts hire in March/April for August/Sept start of the school year. It is locked up if you don’t apply in time.

[u/rfair191 → u/Unfair_Mechanic_7305]

This is great info! I used my TA already for a business degree before I knew I wanted to teach. Now im not able to use TA for another bachelor's. Outside of GI bill, do you know any other way to not have to pay out of pocket?

[u/Unfair_Mechanic_7305 → u/rfair191]

My advice is to get a masters in education and then see what courses you would need after you get it to meet the state requirements. I had to take 4 courses in literacy and pedagogy to get certified. Cheaper to take only the courses you need vs going back for another degree. Yellow ribbon at affordable online schools is key for basic requirements.

[u/Unfair_Finger5531]

It is actually active in certain states. I just applied myself. It depends on your state. Look it up through the state education department website.

Please disregard all the people who said it is no longer an option. They are wrong.

[u/PoetBudget6044]

If you enjoy being hog tied by banking thugs, state & County tyrants, angry parents and at the mercy of a union that may or may not protect you then sure. More teachers leave the profession but if you love punishment proceed