AFRC to host Troops to Teachers presentation

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Steve Bauer
  • 30th Space Wing Public Affairs
The Airman and Family Readiness Center here is scheduled to host a presentation for the Troops to Teachers program from 8-9 a.m. July 16.

The Troops to Teachers program is a means for servicemembers separating or retiring from the military to pursue a career in public education. The program is designed to help sevicemembers obtain the required in-state teaching certifications while also helping servicemembers find employment at public schools.

"Teaching is a rewarding and great second career," said Linda Crowder, a community readiness consultant at the AFRC. "The Troops to Teachers briefing provides servicemembers with another option after their military career. The more options you have in your position, the more likely you'll have a successful transition to a new career."

Every couple of months, the AFRC brings guest speakers to the base to talk about the program. This month's guest speaker is Robert Bartron, a Troops to Teachers program representative from Northern California.

"Robert is truly an inspiring speaker," Ms. Crowder said. "He has a way of reaching out to his audience and showing them the value of teaching."

The presentation of the Troops to Teachers program often coincides and complements the AFRC's Transition Assistance Program.

"We bring in programs like Troops to Teachers around the same time as our Transition Assistance Program, which is to help people successfully transition into a new career after the military," Ms. Crowder said. "When people begin to transition out of the military, we let them know about all possible civilian career options they have -- teaching is one of their options."

The AFRC's transitioning programs provide servicemembers with beneficial information about companies that welcome ex-military personnel to ease the transitioning process.

"If people are going to serve their country, they should be rewarded for their duty with programs like Troops to Teachers," Ms. Crowder said. "It is important that servicemembers get career tunnel vision because there are a lot of good choices out there, even in today's economy."

Those people interested in attending the Troops to Teachers briefing at Vandenberg, call the AFRC at 606-0039. For more information about the Troops to Teachers program, visit www.caltroops.org.