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Troops-to Teachers funds veterans to pursue teaching career

  • Published
  • By By Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert
  • 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE Ala. --  Maxwell Airmen interested in a career in education attended a Troops-To-Teachers seminar, Sept. 2, 2015, held at the base education center.

The DOD funded program offers veterans the opportunity to pursue a new career in education services.  The seminars are free and no registration is required.

The program provides counseling and referral assistance to all military members and veterans with honorable discharge service records. Additionally, Veterans with a baccalaureate degree can apply for financial assistance up to $10,000 through stipends and bonuses.

During the 90-minute seminar, Sol Greear, Troops-To-Teachers Alabama representative, explained the need for teachers and the requirements needed to be successful in the classroom. He also shared his own career path change from military to educator.

"I present the reality of what the classroom is like today, the need for teachers and then I point out that the reason they joined the military in the first place was to make a difference. Well, how are you going to do that when you get out? You want to make a difference in society? Well, one of the best places to do that is teaching," said Greear.

He compared veterans to college graduates; said veterans bring different experiences and values to the classroom environment versus the average college graduate.

"I think they make really good teachers because they have learned how to work with all kinds of people...they've also learned self-discipline in a way college graduates have not, and they bring a level of integrity to the classroom," said Greear.

Airmen who attended the seminar shared their thoughts and reasons behind their interest in attending the class and why they have a desire to teach.

Senior Master Sgt. Yvonne Lopez, Air Force Life Cycle and Management Center first sergeant, said the class was informative and her experience as a professional military education instructor influenced her interest in teaching.

Senior Airman Tyler Foster, AFLCMC computer programmer, said he is pursuing a career in education for the satisfaction of seeing a child's face light up when he/she gets it and it clicks.

The next seminar is scheduled for Oct. 7 at the Education Center at 9 a.m.

For more information, call the Maxwell Education Center at 953-5959