Who Will Teach? Experience Matters
Who Will Teach? Experience Matters
•
Between 2004 and 2008, 300,000 veteran teachers left the workforce for
retirement.
See the Shifts in the Age of the National Teaching Workforce.
•
In 1987-88 the typical teacher had 15 years of experience, but by 2007-08
the typical teacher had just 1 to 2 years of experience.
See the Dramatic Shifts in K-12 Teaching Experience.
•
West Virginia will be impacted by these shifts. Schools that have depended
on a core of veteran teachers are already seeing those teachers retire, and
in some cases are creating new work arrangements for teacher at or
nearing retirement.
By: The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future
Published: January 2010
West Virginia’s Response
• Transition to Teaching and Troops to
Teachers are working with high need
counties to fill their hard to staff
areas by actively supporting incoming
educators.
The West Virginia Troops to
Teachers Program
What is Troops to Teachers?
• Federal veterans benefits and incentives
program
• Includes Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and
Coast Guard
• Nationally successful as a teacher
recruitment tool for America’s school
districts
• Provides veterans with an opportunity to
begin a secondary career in education
• Impacts low-income schools and school
districts
WV History
• U.S. Senator Joe Manchin
• West Virginia / federal office communication
• 1994 – 2007 West Virginia averaged of 1
Troops to Teachers hire each year
• State manager established May 2008
• Hires: FY 2008 = 3, FY 2009 = 8, FY 2010 = 8,
FY 2011 = 12
Program Benefits
Career Counseling
Job Placement Assistance
Financial Assistance
Up to a $5,000 Stipend
or
Up to a $10,000 Bonus
Eligibility
Two options:
• View the eligibility criteria at
http://wvde.state.wv.us/troopstoteach
ers/
• Use the self-determination guide at
www.proudtoserveagain.com.
(Determines current eligibility only)
Registration
Two options for sending your application:
Register online at www.proudtoserveagain.com
Or
Fill out a registration packet which can be found at
http://wvde.state.wv.us/troopstoteachers/
Then, mail all required documentation to:
DANTES Troops to Teachers
6490 Saufley Field Road
Pensacola, FL 32509-5243
Benefits to School Districts
Troops to Teachers members are:
• Teaching high need subject areas
• Impacting student achievement at lowincome schools
• Willing to relocate and teach in rural
areas
• More likely to return to the classroom
after their initial school year than the
average teacher
• Source of diversity and male teachers
Achievements 2008-2011
• Career counseling provided to over
760 veterans
• Registered 248 veterans
• Officially hired 32 members
1 Hire: Greenbrier, Harrison, Lewis, Logan, Mason, Mineral,
Mingo, Morgan, Raleigh, Randolph, and Webster Counties.
2 Hires: Cabell, Fayette, Mercer, Monroe and Wayne Counties.
3 or More Hires: Kanawha and Wood Counties.
The Future of Troops to Teachers
in West Virginia
• Job demand outlook is positive
• Expectation of at least 8 or more hires
each year
• Goal of 9-12 hires each year
• Continue distribution of new
resources
• Continue to enhance methods of
teacher recruitment
Contact Information
Troops to Teachers National Office
1.800.231.6242
DANTES ttt@navy.mil
or
Mr. Robert P. Mellace III
West Virginia Troops to Teachers Coordinator
West Virginia Department of Education
Division of Educator Quality and Service Support
Office of Professional Preparation
1.800.982.2378
1.304.558.7010
rmellace@access.k12.wv.us
The West Virginia Transition to
Teaching Program
History
• The Transition to Teaching Project
(TtT) was a federally funded
alternative certification program that
targeted high-needs areas in schools
across West Virginia. Using its
successful working model, TtT
partnered with McDowell to create
West Virginia’s first state funded TtT
Cohort!
Success
• We began tracking TtT interest in
November 2008.
– 16, 183 people have visited our website
– Over 1,000 people have formally applied
to TtT
– Over 700 have been pre-approved to
participate
– Over 100 fully certified through TtT
How does TtT work?
• Participants fulfill all requirements
outlined in WV Code §18A-3-1a which
include:
– Completing 18 hours of graduate level
coursework
– Passing all required Praxis exams
– Successfully complete the beginning
teacher induction program
– Earn County and College
recommendation for certification
What makes TtT different?
• Beginning teachers receive weekly
visits from TtT Academic Coaches
AND a county provided mentor
• Program provides financial
incentives including tuition
assistance, a laptop computer, and
additional educational resources
• Program and County have added
flexibility in approving teachers for
certification
McDowell County Pilot
Accomplishments
• Over 70 qualified applicants were
recruited and pursued positions in
McDowell County
• 12 applicants secured positions
• Hired a TtT Academic Coach serving
only McDowell County
• Successfully reallocated funds to
promote the development of TtT in
McDowell County
How can you get involved?
• Contact TtT Project Director to express
interest
• Review current staffing and analyze
certification status to determine needs
• Build a customized program based on
individual county need
– We currently have the capability to
recruit and certify individual in grades 512 for both general education and multicategorical special education
Contact Information
Doug Cipoletti
Transition to Teaching Project Director
West Virginia Department of Education
Division of Educator Quality and Service
Support
Office of Professional Preparation
1.800.982.2378
1.304.558.7010
dccipole@access.k12.wv.us
Questions?