Troops to Teachers | Video

Amy Fox | 11/5/2012

They`re on the front lines fighting the war on terror. But when members of the military return to the home front, it`s a different sort of battle.

"A certain portion of veterans when they get out, especially if they don`t have a job that doesn`t related to a civilian career, they may overlook the extra tools that they have; the leadership and mentorship. Because when in the military, it`s not something that you really think about, it`s just something you do." said retired U.S. Air Force Security Forces member Bob Schwartz.

When the troops get back from active duty, many don`t know what career path to take. Schwartz says he`s hoping to give back and share his experiences in the classroom.

"Now that my service has ended, I still believe I have much to give to my community and country.”

Schwartz is giving back to his country through Troops to Teachers, a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense to recruit active and retired military members to become teachers at low-income public schools throughout the country.

"When you’re in the military, you`re a natural leader and a natural mentor,” said Troops to Teachers North Dakota Representative Marvin Zerr. “What it does, is we take that experience, that military experience, and we hope and encourage them to take that experience that knowledge to work with students."

The guidance based program provides military personnel counseling services and assistance to state resources to pursue a career in education.

"It allows veterans to use the skills they got in the military that may not transfer to a job into the outside world,” said Schwartz.

While Schwartz is only a semester into his college career, he continues to look forward to his second career as a high school history teacher.
Troops signed up for the program can earn stipends for up to $5,000 to pay for certification costs. A $10,000 bonus is offered to each new teacher at low-income schools.

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