why military people make good teachers

Retired military personnel who choose teaching as a second career make great teachers. According to PROFILE OF TROOPS TO TEACHERS published by The National Center for Education Information in 1998, when administrators rated Troops to Teachers candidates as compared to other first year teachers, 26% were rated among the best teachers and 28% were rated well above average.

They also seem to teach for the “right” reasons, citing a desire to work with young people and the significance of education to society as the reasons they most often entered teaching. Former military teachers also report a high level of satisfaction with nearly all aspects of teaching.

When asked how their military experience has helped them in their teaching careers, Troops To Teachers participants report that they have often had prior experience training young people in the military which gives them a good model for how to teach. Many have had extensive training in instructional techniques and lesson planning. Their leadership training and experience have prepared them to be effective classroom managers. They also have been exposed to a broader view of the world and are accustomed to working with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Military people know how to work as a team and feel a loyalty to their school and to their principal. More importantly, they say that the military taught them to be disciplined and focused and how to overcome obstacles to complete a mission. These teachers believe their military training has aided them in a new mission: helping students achieve success in school.