Troops To Teachers

TTT supports Service members and veterans as they prepare for and transition to employment as K-12 teachers. While DoD is reviewing requirements for the program and determining funding levels, program support is available in select states with a Troops to Teachers program. State Troops to Teachers programs serve as advocates and guides for participants throughout the teacher certification process. Services provided by state offices currently include:

• Counseling: Guidance on state specific alternative and traditional routes to teacher certification.
• Referral: Connections to accredited teacher preparation programs and state credentialing agencies.

To view states currently providing counseling and referral services, visit the States Currently Offering Services section below.

In states without a Troops to Teachers program, interested Service members and veterans can receive information and referral services by completing the Program Interest Form.

Information and referral services are currently available for:

• Service Members: Military personnel, to include active duty, Guard and Reserve components, U.S. Coast Guard, and USCG Reserve members.
• Veterans: Former military personnel, to include active duty, Guard and Reserve components, U.S. Coast Guard, and USCG Reserve members.

There are currently 25 states that are operating Troops to Teachers programs. To be contacted by the state program for teacher counseling and referral services, complete the Program Interest Form. After completing the Program Interest Form, you will be contacted by a state representative and be able to receive the state point of contact information. Teacher certification and referral services are currently available in the following states.

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

If you are interested in teaching in a state that is not listed above, please complete the Program Interest Form and indicate the state.

Teaching can be a rewarding profession with career progression opportunities and benefits. To explore the teaching profession, Teach.org (a non-profit organization sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and Microsoft) offers information on teaching as a career, the potential impact you can make, salary and benefits insights, and how to grow your career. To learn more, visit Teach.org

While exploring the profession, you need to decide what subject to teach and at what grade level. In most states, the highest need subject areas are Science, Math, Foreign Languages, Special Education, and Career and Vocational/Technical Education. Teachers are needed at the elementary (Kindergarten – 5th grade), middle school (6th – 8th grade), and high school (9th – 12th grade) level.

Do you want to teach a traditional subject? If so, you will need to have completed a bachelor’s degree. If you need to complete your degree, there are professional military education counselors for your branch of Service that may be able to help you find a degree program that may combine your college coursework, military experience, and prior education. They may also help you with resources to fund your education. Contact an education counselor to help you complete bachelor’s degree requirements by visiting Contact a Counselor

If you want to teach in a career or technical subject area, in many states you may not need a degree. Typically you will need either military work experience and/or applicable certifications.

Regardless of what subject area or grade level you want to teach, each state has specific education, testing, and certification/licensure requirements for eligibility. To receive information and referral to state department of education resources, complete the Program Interest Form.

For more information on the program, please review the Troops to Teachers Program FAQs.