WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — If you’ve ever considered becoming a teacher after your military career, then the Airman and Family Readiness Center has a program they can get you connected with.

The Troops to Teachers program began in 1993 as a way to assist service members and veterans with the transition from military to beginning a career as a teacher. Troops to Teachers assists its participants by providing counseling and referral services to help them meet education and licensing requirements. This program helps lower veteran unemployment while also helping American Education by providing dedicated personnel for the nation’s classrooms.

The Troops to Teachers vision is that “Every service member interested in a career in teaching will receive assistance to transition his or her leadership, training, and core values to teaching in kindergarten through grade twelve schools.”

Current or former members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, including Reserve and Guard, that have an interest in teaching are eligible for the Troops to Teachers program.

Depending on certain education, service and application requirements some may also be eligible for financial assistance to support the transition to the classroom.

Shonte Gonzalez, 88 ABW Community Readiness Specialist said, “The goal ultimately is for troops to teachers to help that military member easily finish completing the courses they need and get the certification and by having a coordinator that you can talk to face to face, one on one in Columbus, it makes it easier to transition and smoothly go into that program.”

The first step to getting involved in the program is to apply. Once accepted then begins individual counseling to navigate state requirements. There are 31 state offices that provide this counseling or if your state doesn’t have an office, services can also be provided through the Troops to Teachers program office. Once those two steps are accomplished then begins the process of achieving a teacher certification. For a list of state offices visit www.proudtoserveagain.com/About/Process.

Since 1993, Troops to teachers has placed more than 20,000 veterans in teaching jobs in public, charter, and Bureau of Indian Affairs schools.

To apply, get more information, or to read about Troops to Teachers success stories visit www.proudtoserveagain.com.