Programs target veterans for teaching careers Published July 27, 2011 By Airman and Family Readiness Center 81st Training Wing KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- A seminar on the Troops to Teachers program is 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday in Room 108A, Sablich Center. Troops to Teachers is valuable to people looking for a "second career" after military retirement, according to Lana Smith, community readiness consultant at the airman and family readiness center. Troops to Teachers is a U.S. Department of Education and Department of Defense program that helps eligible military personnel begin a new career as teachers in public schools where their skills, knowledge and experience are needed. Troops to Teachers, managed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, offers counseling and referral services to military personnel interested in beginning a second career in public education as a teacher. The program helps applicants identify teacher certification requirements, programs leading to certification and employment opportunities. In most states, Troops to Teachers doesn't train or certify teachers, but helps them find and enter the programs that do. Then, if eligible, Troops to Teachers provides financial assistance in the form of stipends or bonuses. Becoming a teacher through Troops to Teacher involves three distinct processes occurring at the same time. Some individuals begin teaching before becoming fully certified. For others, registering with Troops to Teachers, pursuing certification, and job hunting can occur almost simultaneously. For more information or to register, call 376-8728.