General Troops to Teachers (TTT) Program Questions:
Q: What is the Troops to Teachers program?
A: Troops to Teachers is a U.S. Department of Education program that helps eligible military personnel (active duty, retired, veteran, National Guard, and Selective Reserve) begin a new career as teachers in public schools where their skills, knowledge and experience are most needed. Troops to Teachers is managed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES).
Q: What benefits are there in applying to the Troops to Teachers program?
A: There are five major areas in which Troops-to-Teachers assists future teachers:
- Financial aid in the form of $5,000 stipends or $10,000 bonus money to qualified participants.
- A nationwide referral system; our participant database is available to school districts to recruit new teachers.
- Regional or state assistance offices to provide local representation for participants.
- Provide school districts the ability to post their vacancies directly on our nationwide Web site.
- Troops-to-Teachers participants can post a mini-resume along with their database record to personalize their national record.
Q: Who is eligible to register for the Troops to Teachers program?
A: See the Eligibility Criteria list at the following link: www.proudtoserveagain.com. Those interested in an academic teaching position (elementary/secondary) must have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Those without a bachelor’s degree can be considered for vocational, technical, or professional teaching (electronics, computer technology, construction trades, automotive, etc.) but must be able to document their skill level or expertise.
Q: When should an individual register for the program?
A: The requirements vary; please consult the Eligibility Criteria list. There is no time limit for retirees.
Q: To which office should I send the registration?
A: The form and accompanying documents must be mailed to the home office at Saufley Field in Pensacola, Florida; the address is on the registration form. Online registration is not available at this time. Do not mail your registration to the Maryland Troops to Teachers office.
Q: Where can I obtain a registration form for the program?
A: You may download the registration packet from the national site at http://www.proudtoserveagain.com.
Q: What other documents must be submitted with the registration form?
A: As appropriate: Copies of your DD Form 214 or SF 50; Teaching Subject Area/Vocational Technical Interest Survey; final degree transcripts; Approved Voluntary Retirement Letter; current Reserve LES/Yearly Point Summary/Three Year Letter of Intent/Report of Separation-Record of Service. Refer to the Registration Instructions checklist.
Q: May I submit copies of the accompanying documents or must they be originals?
A: Legible copies are acceptable.
Q: By submitting a signed registration form, am I obligating myself to anything?
A: No; however, you are certifying that all the information on the registration form is true and correct.
Q: What if I am not sure that I want to become a teacher?
A: The best approach is to gain some practical experience by volunteering in a public school at the grade level and subject area you wish to teach. You may also gain experience through substitute teaching.
Q: I have heard that a person has to be ‘licensed’ or ‘certified’ to teach. What does that mean?
A: Every state requires public school teachers to meet a set of education standards, which vary from state to state. After you complete these requirements you are issued a license or certificate verifying your eligibility to be hired by school districts in that state. In some states, including Maryland, the certificate is issued upon the request of the employing school district. Refer to the Getting Certified page for more information
Q: Do substitute teachers have to be certified?
A: The hiring of substitutes is managed entirely by each individual school district. Working as a substitute teacher allows the district to become aware of your teaching abilities and offers you the opportunity to become acquainted with the system. You may refer to the interactive map on the Contact Page and link with each Maryland public school district
Q: What do beginning teachers get paid?
A: Starting salaries vary greatly across the U.S. Statistics can be found at http://www.aft.org/salary/.
Q: Is a teacher license/certificate required to get hired as a full time teacher?
A: Yes. Levels of certification and pathways to certification vary greatly. Many states have an alternative route to certification that is used to certify an individual based on their existing academic background and the school’s immediate need to hire a teacher. Also, in many states individuals can be hired as vocational/technical/professional teachers based on their skill level/experience, without having a current certificate. Some accredited online universities offer teacher training programs accepted in multiple states.
Q: What if the state in which I wish to teach does not have an alternative certification program or I do not wish to take an online program?
A: You would then need to take a more traditional ‘on-site’ post-baccalaureate or graduate degree teacher preparation program at an institution of higher learning.
Q: How do I find a teacher preparation program?
A: Contact the Troops-to-Teachers assistance office for the state in which you’re interested. Another contact is each state’s Department of Education/Office of Public Instruction.
Q: In what states can I find a Troops to Teachers assistance office?
A: Every state has an assistance office or is represented by a regional office; contacts are in the program information packet on the national Web site at: http://www.proudtoserveagain.com. Candidates interested in teaching in Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS), or other U.S. territories should contact the national office.
Q. How can I complete a teacher credentialing program if I need to financially support myself/my family?
A. There are alternatives to traditional university credential programs. Many teacher preparation programs can be completed on-line, at night, or on weekends. Programs vary in length, cost, and internship/student teaching requirements. Personnel still on active duty may be able to complete an internship while on terminal leave. Contact the Troops to Teachers office for the state you are interested in for program options.
Q. Will Troops to Teachers find a teaching position for me?
A. Troops to Teachers can offer assistance with your search in finding employment as a teacher. Information can be provided regarding school district profiles, recruitment web sites, upcoming job fairs and resume tips. However, you must apply for teaching positions and interview on your own. The Maryland Troops to Teachers office and Prince George's County Public Schools has created a Hire in Advance partnership that may allow you to receive a contingent employment offer up to two years in advance of meeting state certification requirements. Please contact the Maryland TTT office for more information.
Q. How can I receive additional information regarding the Troops to Teachers program?
A. Additional national and general information can be found on the national Troops to Teachers website at http://www.proudtoserveagain.com. Additional Maryland Troops to Teachers information can be obtained by contacting the Maryland office at 1-866-251-3123 or rhenry@msde.state.md.us.
More Questions & Answers:
NATIONAL TTT PROGRAM FAQs
http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_Web/TroopsToTeachers/FrequentlyAskedQuestions.asp
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