1. How can
I help pay for an alternative certification program?
There are several different options available to help finance alternative
certification programs including federal loans and special programs
like Troops to Teachers. To find out which program is best suited to
your situation click on FINANCING ALTERNATIVE
CERTIFICATION.
2. I entered the military after college
and I have never had a civilian job. Do I have the necessary qualifications
and skills to be a teacher?
Statistics show that military people have the skills to become excellent
teachers because of the training they have received. To read more, click
on WHY MILITARY PEOPLE MAKE GOOD TEACHERS.
3. Do I have to return to school full
time to complete a teaching certificate?
No. If you already have a bachelor’s degree most states offer
some type of alternative certification program that can be done on a
part time basis while you are working, maybe even while you are teaching.
You can learn more about how to become certified by clicking on
ROUTES TO CERTIFICATION.
4. Are there any tests I can take that
will help me decide if I would like a career in education?
There are many tests available that can help you determine your interests
as well as your personality strengths and your future goals. Some of
these tests are listed under IS TEACHING FOR YOU?
5. Are former military teachers really
satisfied with the decision they made?
Former military people report a higher level of satisfaction with their
jobs than the average teacher. They also have a lower drop out rate.
You can read what they say about teaching in their own words by clicking
on WHAT TROOPS TO TEACHERS SAY.
6. What are the things I need to consider
as I plan to leave the military?
There are a number of things, but the first is a systematic process
for thinking about your transition. The Strategic Plan menu item [link]
under Leaving the Military will take you to an outline to guide your
planning.
7. What if I’m not sure I want
to be a teacher?
Following the Strategic Plan will take you through some steps to help
you determine your options. The plan is applicable for many job searches,
but we do hope you may consider teaching in the nation’s public
schools. There is great need, and former military persons have an outstanding
track record as teachers. Exploring Teaching [link] on this Web site
has other resources and information about teaching.
8. You mention Troops To Teachers (TTT)
several times on the Web site. Is this something I should check out?
Definitely! Many retired military people have used funding from the
Troops To Teachers program to help them pay for requirements needed
to meet certification requirements. In addition to paying for certification
costs, TTT offers additional funds for those who choose to teach in
certain locales of high need. TTT also offers a network of state liaison
officers who can be a tremendous help to you in sorting out requirements
in their respective states and linking you to positions. Check out www.proudtoserveagain.com.
9. Why should I go to the trouble to
prepare a resume? Don’t most places make you fill out an application?
Yes, you will probably have to complete a school district’s own
application to be hired or to be considered for a specific position.
However, having a resume in hand when you go to job fairs or for initial
interviews is invaluable. Don’t forget that this is your opportunity
to present yourself in your own words. Most applications will give you
limited opportunity to describe your experience in terms of skills and
range of responsibility. Even with an application in hand, most times
your resume will be attached to the application, if you’ve presented
one. Again, you get to control your resume, so don’t fail to take
advantage of this opportunity. It is also necessary for networking;
give it to contacts to circulate for you.
10. How many versions of my resume do
I need?
For teaching, you can have one basic resume, but you should always be
sure that your resume speaks to the particular position you are seeking.
Don’t indicate that you want to teach elementary school in your
resume and use it for an interview for a high school position. With
computerized word processing, there is no excuse for failing to tweak
your resume for specific situations. You should also avoid being too
specific in your resume about your desired position; you don’t
want to eliminate yourself from consideration because someone thinks
you wouldn’t be interested or suitable. Use the
Resume information to guide your preparation.
11. The No Child Left Behind Act seems
so complicated and has caused so much confusion. What does it really
say?
The No Child Left Behind Act is a federal law that says that every child
regardless of income, gender, race, ethnicity or disability has the
right to a quality education. To read more about the specifics of the
law you can click on NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT
or HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS.
12. What type of student might I encounter
in the classroom?
There is no such thing as a typical student. Students in America are
from varying ethnic groups and economic backgrounds. You can read more
statistical information by clicking on WHO ARE
TODAY’S STUDENTS.
13. Military vocabulary is different
from education vocabulary. How can I become more familiar with the terms
I will be hearing in my new career?
EDUCATION VOCABULARY lists some of the most
common words you will need to be familiar with when you begin teaching.
14. Bottom line: why spend 6-8 hours
completing the Teaching Skills Assessment Program?
The TSAP provides much valuable information to those who are considering
teaching as a second career. Perhaps the most important issues include;
- Increased familiarity with the teaching profession and its typical
situations, language and requirements;
- Effective current state assessment of your teaching skills; and
- Action plan tasks to improve your knowledge, skills and ability
related to today’s educational environment.
15. Why does the TSAP take so long to
complete?
The 6-8 hour approximation is offered as a planning tool. You will determine
how long you need for each instrument and you may take as many or as
few instruments as you have time for in any one session. It should also
be noted that two of the instruments require video downloading. The
time necessary to do that will be directly affected by your system capabilities.
For more information on the actual instruments, visit the TSAP
Assessment.
16. What’s a “professional
development plan” and how does it compare to the TSAP Action Plans?
Most school districts require all teachers to create and implement a
professional development plan. This is particularly true for new teachers.
Professional development plans are documented strategies for improving
specific skills, staying current and/or expanding capabilities and influence.
They may include generic district wide requirements, developmental areas
identified through classroom problems or mentor feedback, and/or actions
designed to support career advancement goals. You will receive specific
direction on professional development plans once you start teaching.
The TSAP Action Plans provide a series of very specific tasks that
are customized based on your TSAP scores. Each task is designed to enhance
your knowledge, skills and/or ability in one or more teacher competency
areas.
There are two types of Action Plans: one for military personnel and
one for non-military, classroom based participants. The military action
plans include self-assessed activities that can be completed regardless
of location and duty assignment. The classroom-based activities assume
two things. First, because the activities typically require you to do
something in the classroom, the assumption is that you have primary
responsibility for a group of students in a real teaching situation.
Second, there is an assumption that someone will be evaluating your
work and providing feedback. In either case, completing the Action Plan
tasks will result in improved teacher competencies.
17. How will the Resource List help me?
The Resource List, located under Instructional Components, includes
two types of information: A list of valuable text resources and a list
of important web sites, with live links. This information can help you
develop a background in education, better understand and be able to
answer questions asked by recruiter and generally improve your comfort
level about teaching as a second career.
18. Why should I do the Yes Teach! component?
The Yes Teach! 1st Tutorial provides web-based training modules designed
to improve specific competencies. The tutorial includes three components:
a “pre-test” (which often provides surprising information
about how much you do/do not know; the tutorial, or teaching module;
and a “post test” that helps you recognize how much you’ve
learned.
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