Luke hosts Troops to Teachers seminar

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A Troops to Teachers seminar will be held at building 1150 third floor atrium 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 23 to inform servicemembers looking to become teachers. 

The Defense Department program was established in 1994 to recruit teachers for schools serving students from low-income families throughout America. 

According to John Scheuer, Director of Arizona's TTT program, the program 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. 

"Our program is focused on assisting servicemembers to teach first, then 'crack the code' on the certification process and find employment in public and charter schools across the state," he said. 

Since its creation, TTT has assisted more than 16,000 eligible servicemembers in transitioning to a new career as public school teachers, including Mr. Scheuer, a U.S. Navy veteran who took advantage of the program and taught mid-grade students for four years. More than 600 men and women in Arizona have participated in the program, making Arizona eighth in veteran-hired teachers. 

Pending availability of funds, financial assistance may be provided to eligible individuals up to $5,000 to help pay for teacher certification costs or as bonuses of $10,000 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. 

"But just because a candidate teaches, say in Peoria, Fountain Hills, or Higley districts, where there are no 'high need' schools does not mean a candidate can not register and use TTT in their pursuit to teach," Mr. Scheuer said. 

A great aspect of the program is that most servicemembers bring a rich background with them into the classroom, along with perseverance and focus, Mr. Scheuer said. 

"The 'people' skills developed over a military career go a long way in the classroom," he said. "In your military career you develop a knack for planning, setting goals or objectives, all of which carry over to the classroom, whether it's planning a lesson or measuring students' academic growth." 

Rick Duarte, Deer Valley High School assistant principal and one of the original members of Troops to Teachers, is grateful for what the program has done for him. 

"I heard about the program through a letter sent to me by the TTT office, when I was stationed in Florida," said Mr. Duarte. "I had my teaching degree before I enlisted in 1974, but the program motivated me as it gave me an 'edge' in being hired by a school district and influenced my decision to continue in the education field after I retired." 

As a result of his 20 years of various levels of administration while in the Air Force, in both enlisted and officer ranks, Mr. Duarte was able to transition and move up into school administration in minimum time. 

"I spent three years in the classroom and enjoyed the challenges of teaching students not only academics but what society expects of them in order for them to be productive citizens, but because of the program and my background, I was able to become an assistant principal for the last 11 years." 

According to Mr. Duarte, one of the satisfactions of the program was knowing he could still make an impact on future generations after the military. 

"Many of my constituents and I knew when we first entered the profession, we might not make a big difference in the lives of many students, but would be satisfied if we could change the lives of a few in the classroom." 

For more information about the TTT program, visit the Web site http://www.ProudToServeAgain.Com or call John Scheuer at (602) 372-4268, or e-mail jscheuer@azdvs.gov.