Troops to Teachers program earns award

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  • By (Information courtesy of
  • Department of Defense Troops to Teachers)
PENSACOLA, Fla --  Troops to Teachers, part of the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, was awarded The Met Life Foundation/ Civic Ventures BreakThrough Award May 31, one of 10 national award winners.

According to the official release, the BreakThrough Award "is for innovative organizations that tap the passion and experience of people over 50 to improve society. It's a salute to any nonprofit or public sector agency that takes on local, national, or international challenges by engaging this vast and vibrant workforce for good."

Since 1994, Troops to Teachers, based out of Saufley Field, has helped more than 10,000 military veterans transition into second careers as public school teachers by providing counseling, referral services and financial incentives of up to $10,000. For complete eligibility requirements visit www.ProudtoServeAgain.com.

Nearly half of the 10,000 Troops to Teachers are 50 or over according to a 2005 National Center for Educational Information report, a majority of whom retired after more than 20 years of service.

"This award is a testimony to the successful partnership between the Department of Education and The Defense Activity for Non Traditional Education Support," said William McAleer, Troops to Teachers chief. "The value of the Troops to Teachers program, to our nation's school and the children in them is immense and quite beyond calculation.

We at DANTES and the Troops to Teachers program are honored by this award. Personally I am honored and humbled by being a part of this great endeavor called 'Troops to Teachers.'"

In addition to providing second careers for America's veterans, Troops to Teachers provides schools with highly qualified and high-in-demand educators.

According to the NCEI report:

* 82 percent of teachers entering through Troops to Teachers are male, compared to 18 percent of all teachers. 
* 37 percent of Troops teachers are persons of color, compared to 15 percent overall. 
* 46 percent of Troops teachers teach sciences (biology, geology, physics and chemistry), versus 18 percent overall

Troops to Teachers is administered by the Department of Defense and Department of Education and managed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support.

For more information, contact Jim Scavino, public relations specialist at (800) 231-6242, extension 158 or e-mail at jscavino@voled.doded.mil www.ProudToServeAgain.com