TROOPS-TO-TEACHERS PROGRAM

Troops-to-Teachers provides Referral Assistance and Placement services to military personnel interested in beginning a second career in public education as a teacher. The DANTES Troops-to-Teachers office will help applicants identify teacher certification requirements, programs leading to certification and employment opportunities. Those that choose to teach in high need school districts are rewarded with financial stipends and bonuses.

Background
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.

Goal 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 students from low-income families throughout America. TTT helps relieve teacher shortages, especially in math, science, special education and other critical subject areas, and assists military personnel in making successful transitions to second careers in teaching.

Current Status
Funding has been appropriated for FY 2005 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 to DANTES.

Program Function
The purpose of TTT is to assist eligible military personnel to transition to a new career as public school teachers in targeted 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.

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 targeted schools in accordance with the authorizing legislation.

Eligibility
Educational and Service eligibility requirements for Referral and Placement Assistance services and Financial Assistance are outlined on the reverse side of this Overview and are also available on the TTT Home Page at www.ProudToServeAgain.com . Also available is a "Self Determination Guide" to quickly assess eligibility.

Registration
Register with Troops to Teachers by contacting your base Education Center/Navy College Office or download a registration form from the TTT Home Page. Eligible active duty and reserve personnel may register with Troops to Teachers at any time. Counseling and information are available to all participants, however, financial assistance may not be provided to active duty personnel until one year prior to retirement. Contact the DANTES Troops to Teachers office regarding questions about eligibility or services offered.

The Department of Education establishes the operating rules that govern the schools where Troops to Teachers participants who accept financial assistance may fulfill their three-year teaching obligation. There are revised rules which determine these eligible schools. These revised rules will take effect for anyone registering in the Troops to Teachers program on or after the implementation date of 15 Sep 05. For details see the Policy Statement dated 13 Sep 05.

Information
For more information about Troops-to-Teachers, write or call: Address:
DANTES Troops to Teachers
6490 Saufley Field Road
Pensacola, FL 32509-5243  Phone: 850-452-1241
Toll Free: 1-800-231-6242
DSN: 922-1241
 
Home Page: http://www.ProudToServeAgain.com
E-Mail:ttt@voled.doded.mil 

State Placement Assistance Offices: For a listing of the State Offices, call DANTES or visit the Home Page at the above address.

10 Minute Troops To Teachers Video High Speed Connection - CLICK HERE
10 Minute Troops To Teachers Video Dial Up Connection - CLICK HERE

First Lady Laura Bush's Public Service Announcement video and the 2005 Thoth Award from the Public Relations Society of America award winning Proud to Serve video are now available on the Troops to Teachesrs web sites. The links above will take you to them. The Public Service Aannouncement features the First Lady's call to the military to "serve their country again", this time as teachers.