Spouses to Teachers Expands to the Pacific
Spouses to Teachers Expands to the Pacific
More opportunities are now available for military spouses stationed in the Pacific and thinking about a career in public education. Effective February 1, 2007, the Spouses to Teachers program is available, offering resources and counseling to overseas military spouses interested in a professional and portable teaching career.
This is the second overseas expansion for the program, following a successful launch into Europe in October 2006. Over 670 e-mails and phones calls combined have come into the National Spouses to Teachers Office wanting more information from the European theater. One hundred spouses have since registered with the program and are currently working on degree completion and teacher certification requirements.
This Department of Defense program provides counseling and guidance on state-specific certification requirements, certification options, scholarships available, and state employment resources. Up to $600 also is available via a voucher process to reimburse the costs of testing fees associated with teacher certification/licensure.
Tylee Roller, the Spouses to Teachers Program Manager, fully understands that starting or completing a college degree and certification can be expensive and time consuming. Making sure a spouses' energy is channeled in the right direction for the spouses' desired outcome is very important to Ms. Roller. Military spouses want a career that is professional, marketable, and makes them feel alive and teaching does that! Over 70% of the military spouses registered with the program have a bachelor degree or higher, have an abundance of worldly travels and allot of passion to instill learning in our children of tomorrow and make a positive difference in their lives.
Spouses overseas will now be arriving back to the states in larger numbers already certified to teach and looking for work, vice how to get certified, upon their arrival to their new location. Military spouses can easily identify with children of deployed parent(s) and the working hours are really conducive to family life. Having the spouses' career established prior to their sponsor's retirement or separation will also make the transition much easier on the family. Having a portable and professional career with immense job satisfaction couldn't be more of a perfect fit for the military spouse whom is traveling the world in support of her military spouse and country.
Stateside, this pilot program currently is offered in 14 states, covering 64% of the military spouse population in the following states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Utah and South Carolina. Over 3500 spouses are registered with Spouses to Teachers stateside with 475 spouses hired in teaching positions with the assistance they have received from October 2004 when Spouses to Teachers began. More than 1,500 spouses have been reimbursed for teacher certification exams.
It just makes perfect sense to support the military spouse. The reality is that spousal support is a major predictor of reenlistment. Military spouse, Mrs. Lipton, had this to say, "I feel the support I received exceeded my expectations. Everyone has been very helpful and answered my questions promptly. The transcript review was so in depth; I realized how very little I needed to do to become certified in math. I will recommend Spouses to Teachers in the future and have already passed along my positive experience to others. Everyone I spoke with seemed excited to have a program that helps us transition as our spouse continues on their military journey."
Eligible participants include spouses of active duty personnel, Selected Reserve and National Guard, and Individual Ready Reserve recalled to active duty.
Spouses to Teachers is managed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES).
For additional information, contact Spouses to Teachers at (800) 231-6282 or DSN 922-6282, or visit www.SpousestoTeachers.com or e-mail the program at stt@voled.doded.mil.
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