Troops to Teachers

“Pennsylvania has a proud military heritage and is home to many tremendous veterans who want to continue serving their community. The Troops to Teachers program is a great way for veterans to bring their knowledge and skills to our classrooms, which benefits veterans and our students.” - Governor Tom Wolf

Under Pennsylvania’s Troops to Teachers program, veterans who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching are provided with counseling services on teacher education requirements and programs, as well as guidance around the teacher certification process and referrals to employment opportunities. In some cases, veterans are eligible for bonuses if they choose to teach in a high-need school. Veterans who are interested in the program must register online at Troops to Teachers.

The Lyceum Group LLC has been contracted to manage the Troops to Teachers PA Regional Partnerships and to carry out activities related to counseling and referral of eligible veterans expressing an interest in becoming certified to teach in elementary and secondary schools in PA. Veterans may seek counseling and referral related to certification preparation programs in all PA subject areas and to job placements by emailing tttpennsylvania@j2tinfo.com. In addition, Certification Services at the Pennsylvania Department of Education offers assistance by telephone, chat, and email.

Troops to Teachers PA Regional Partnerships were established under the 2017-18 Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Troops to Teachers grant, with Mercyhurst University Troops to Teachers as the lead. This partnership designed a post-baccalaureate certification pathway for veterans who have foundational skills in math, science, and/or world languages. The 12-month pathway to certification involves placement in a high-need school with a coaching mentor to teach in a critical subject shortage area. Veterans interested in becoming certified in secondary mathematics, secondary sciences, or PK-12 world languages by participating in this program may contact the TTT PA Regional Partnerships Program at Mercyhurst University Troops to Teachers or the PA project coordinator at tttpennsylvania@j2tinfo.com.

On May 24, 2018, Governor Tom Wolf announced that his administration had secured a $1.6 million, 5-year Troops to Teachers grant to recruit and help military veterans who are considering a career in teaching. Read more about Wolf’s announcement.

Video created by the U.S. Army, that highlights the Troops To Teachers program.

For more information, please contact:

Jamal K. Wakeem |Higher Education Associate II
Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality
Division of Professional Education and Teacher Quality
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street | Harrisburg PA 17126
Phone: 717.772.3566 | Fax: 717.783.6736
jwakeem@pa.gov