The West Virginia

Program Guide
 Table of Contents

Introduction..........................................................................2
Why Live and Teach in West Virginia......................................4
Success Stories......................................................................5
The Troops to Teachers Process
• Step 1: Eligibility......................................................................7
• Step 2: Registration................................................................10
• Step 3: Educator Preparation..................................................12
• Step 4: Finding Employment...................................................14
Contact Information............................................................17
INTRODUCTION
If you have served in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard, you know what it
means to positively affect change. As a teacher, you get the chance to reach young people with
your confidence, discipline, and experience when they need you most. When you reach them,
they never forget it. Since 1994, Troops to Teachers has helped thousands of military personnel
find rewarding new careers as teachers. Our program offers significant benefits and incentives to
qualifying program members:
• Career counseling
• Job placement assistance
• Up to a $5,000 stipend or a $10,000 bonus

2
You Have what
i t takes
Providing our children with a high-quality
educational experience is and has always
been the key to our nation’s success.
Teachers help students acquire the necessary
skills and knowledge to become productive
members of an ever-changing global
community. Without teachers, there would
be no doctors, architects, lawyers, scientists,
skilled professionals, or certified laborers of
any profession. Professional educators are
empowered with the unique responsibility
and opportunity to positively change lives,
serve communities, shape minds, and
prepare a new generation for the challenges
of the 21st century. No other profession
will make a greater impact on how our
society evolves to meet the emerging
demands of an exciting new era.
Military service members embody the skills
and possess the knowledge and values
that make this country great. They are
professionals who serve as role models and
leaders for our students. Will you choose to
answer the call of public service again and
lead young Americans in their efforts to
become champions of a new age?
Will you teach West Virginia?
3
Why l i ve and
teach in
west v irgin i a?

West Virginia is deeply rooted in its

culture and history,
featuring fantastic outdoor recreation opportunities (river
sports, winter sports, adventure sports, golf, fishing,
hunting), quiet places to catch up (romantic
getaways, small town gems, parks), and scenery
that is unrivaled in its beauty. From the wilderness
of the great outdoors to the technologically
advanced business centers of West Virginia,
country roads of the Mountain State lead to unique
opportunities and pleasant destinations that you can
be proud to call home.
The demand for teachers in West Virginia has never been
greater. With many of our teachers reaching the age of retirement eligibility, opportunities for new
educators are constantly on the rise. Troops to Teachers is looking to replace these dedicated public
servants with America’s finest. Patriotism is an important cornerstone of every mountaineer’s way of
life and you can expect to meet many friendly folks who share and understand the many important
sacrifices that you and your family have made to protect our nation. There is simply no better place to
begin your educational career than right here in West Virginia!

4
west v irgin i a
SuccessStor ies

Stefa nSmo lski

A research biologist before enlisting into the service, Stefan
Smolski served in various positions during his 23-year military
career, including posts as an intelligence officer and a naval
flight officer. Upon his retirement, Stefan decided to build on
his bachelor’s degree in biology by completing 45 hours of
undergraduate work at Fairmont State University to earn his
teaching certification. He has further developed as a professional
by completing a Master’s degree in Secondary Education at West
Virginia University. For the past nine years, Stefan has taught
physical science and biology in New Cumberland, W.Va. Stefan
could have easily walked into a variety of jobs with his amazing
experiences, but he chose to educate the youth of West Virginia
and since has never looked back. Today, he serves the program
as our state mentor assisting veterans in their transition to the
classroom.

5

V ictor i aGrogan
SuccessStor ies
There are a variety of ways that an individual may attain a teaching
certification. For Victoria Grogan, it was the traditional route via a
bachelor’s degree in education. During her time in the Air National
Guard, Grogan used her funds from the GI Bill to complete an
approved teacher preparation program for mathematics at Concord
University. Upon graduation, she registered with the Troops to
Teachers program and began receiving part of her $10,000 bonus
for agreeing to teach at a high-need school for three years. Today,
she continues to make an impact in her community as a full-time
teacher in Mercer County, W.Va., and as a member of the West
Virginia Air National Guard.

Sa ma nth aUrbanek
As an active duty member of the U.S. Air Force, Samantha Urbanek served
honorably for six years. During her time as a human resources specialist
in the armed forces, Samantha used the military’s financial assistance to
earn both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Masters in Business in Administration.
Urbanek has always felt a need to answer the call to public service. With the
Troops to Teachers program, she found a new way to make a difference in
her country. The Troops to Teachers program was instrumental in providing
her with assistance that enabled her to make a smooth transition into
the classroom as a teacher. She was referred to an alternative route to
certification program called Transition to Teaching. Transition to Teaching
provided her with tuition assistance, online coursework, support from
an experienced mentor teacher, and promptly allowed her to enter the
classroom at the beginning of the school year. Immediately, Urbanek was able to achieve her
dream of making a positive impact in the lives of young people by providing a very special group
of students with the support that they need to realize and reach their full potential. She now
proudly serves as a special education teacher in Mingo County, W.Va.
6
the troopstoteachers
process
Step 1: Determining Eligibility

In determining your eligibility for Troops to Teachers, it is important to understand that our
candidates follow different routes to attaining program eligibility:

• First, we have candidates who currently meet the educational and time-in-service requirements. These individuals
should register with the Troops to Teachers program immediately to begin receiving their benefits and/or incentives.
• Second, we have candidates who are working on a bachelor’s degree and do not currently meet the educational
requirements of Troops to Teachers. These individuals should consider using one of the following strategies for
registration:
• Continuing to work on the completion of their current bachelor’s degree and planning to join a state approved
post-bachelor’s teacher certification program. These individuals should register after attaining a bachelor’s
degree and before selecting a teacher preparation program.
• Switching academic majors for the bachelor’s degree program to education and joining a state approved teacher
preparation program. Registration would occur upon completion of the bachelor’s degree in education.
• Third, we have candidates who do not currently meet the time in service requirements for Troops to Teachers. These
individuals should continue on with their military service and register upon attaining the required amount of time in
service.
• Finally, we have individuals who are interested in teaching Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes. A
bachelor’s degree is not necessarily required to teach CTE courses and therefore individuals interested in using the
program to attain employment as a Career and Technical educator should plan to register with the program upon
attaining the required work-related experience and certifications/credentials.

To review program requirements for Troops to Teachers, simply refer to the listing on the next
page or visit www.proudtoserveagain.com to gain access to an interactive self-determination
eligibility guide.

Note: The requirements listed in this program guide are subject to change at any time. 7
Visit www.proudtoserveagain.com for up-to-date details on program eligibility.
 ProgramEl igibil ity
criteria
Eligibility for Counseling and Referral Services
Counseling and referral services include the following:
• Access to our State Offices for counseling relative to becoming a certified teacher
• Participation in the job referral process via the Internet
• Use of the MENTOR Connection to contact TTT participants who are teaching for advice about
transitioning to teaching as a second career

Those eligible for career counseling and referral services must meet the
following criteria:
A. Service Requirements: Active or Selected Reserve component
personnel who: 1) retired, 2) separated with six or more years of
credible service toward retirement on or after October 1, 1990, or
3) separated with a service-determined physical disability on or after
January 8, 2002 and registered within four years of separation, or 4)
current members with six or more years of creditable service towards
retirement. The last period of service must be honorable. Those
selected to participate in the Program before retirement, separation,
or release from active duty may continue to participate only if the last
period of service is characterized as honorable.
B. Educational Requirements: Must hold a bachelor’s or advanced
degree from an accredited institution at the time of registration for
academic teacher referral (West Virginia policy also recognizes
regional accredidation), or have the equivalent of one year of
college with six years of work experience in a vocational or technical
field, or meet state requirements for vocational/technical teacher
referral.

8
The U.S. Department of Education establishes the operating rules that govern identification of schools
where Troops to Teachers participants who accept financial assistance may fulfill their three-year
teaching obligation.

Eligibility for Financial Assistance

In addition to the educational requirements and pending availability of funds, financial assistance
may be provided to qualified service members in the form of either (A) a stipend of up to $5,000
for teacher certification expenses for which individuals must teach for three years at a public school
within a “high-need” school district; or (B) a bonus of $10,000 to teach for three years in a public
school within a “high-need” school district in which the school also serves a high percentage of
disadvantaged students. To qualify, a service member must meet one of the requirements listed
below.

Active Duty (AD) Reserve Component (RC)

AD-1. Retired from active duty.
AD-2. Active duty member with approved date of
retirement with one year or less remaining before
retirement.
AD-3. Separated for a service-determined
physical disability on or after January 8, 2002.
Must register within four years after separation.
Note: Physical disability must be noted on service
separation documentation not a VA determination.
Medical discharge is not the same as discharge due
to physical disability.
RC-1. Retired from the Selected Reserve.
RC-2. Currently serving in the Selected Reserve
with 10 or more years of creditable service toward
retirement and commit to serving an additional
three years, or until eligible for retirement.
RC-3. Separated from the Selected Reserve due to
a service-determined physical disability on or after
January 8, 2002. Must register within four years
after separation. Note: Physical disability must be
noted on service separation documentation not a VA
determination. Medical discharge is not the same as
discharge due to physical disability.
RC-4. Individuals transitioning from active duty
on or after January 8, 2002, and have served
six years on active duty immediately before
separation, and committed to three years with a
Selected Reserve unit. Must register within four
years after separation.

9
the troopstoteachers
process

Step 2: Registration

Troops to Teachers candidates may choose to register with the program in one of two
ways:
1. Register online at www.proudtoserveagain.com and then send the qualifying documentation to:
DANTES Troops to Teachers
6490 Saufley Field Road
Pensacola, FL 32509-5243
OR
2. Complete a paper registration form and then mail the registration packet with all of the qualifying
documentation to:
DANTES Troops to Teachers
6490 Saufley Field Road
Pensacola, FL 32509-5243

Accessing Your Time-in-Service Documentation

eVetRecs allows veterans to request copies of their military personnel records at

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html.

10
For assistance with the registration process, contact:

Troops to Teachers National Office

1.800.231.6242
ttt@navy.mil
Or
Robert P. Mellace III
Troops to Teachers Coordinator
West Virginia Department of Education
Office of Professional Preparation
Building 6, Room 252
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25305
1.800.982.2378
1.304.558.7010
rmellace@access.k12.wv.us

11
the troopstoteachers
process
Step 3: Educator Preparation

To become a professional educator of the mountain state, you must first select a teacher
preparation program that leads to a West Virginia teaching certification. This will require
that you locate a university with an approved teacher certification program. This may be
done by visiting West Virginia’s online teacher recruitment center at www.teachwv.com.
You will need to access the Educator Preparation tab. This will allow you to navigate a
fully interactive map of universities that offer educator preparation programs throughout
West Virginia. Simply select the subject area that you would like to teach, highlight the
corresponding college or university, and then you will be on your way to beginning an
exciting new career in education.

Alternative routes to certification may exist for individuals who

already possess a bachelor’s degree. These alternative routes
may accelerate the process of certification in the high need
subject areas of math, science, special education, English and
foreign languages at secondary grade levels (Grades 6-12). The
Transition to Teaching program is one of these alternative route
programs. Transition to Teaching allows a select number of teacher
candidates who are switching careers to work on their certification as they teach full-
time. Benefits of joining the Transition to Teaching program include:
• Employment while completing online coursework
• Financial incentives
• Continuous support from academic coaches and mentors
• Use of a laptop computer
For more information about the Transition to Teaching program visit
http://wvde.state.wv.us/transitiontoteaching/.
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Career and Technical Education

The requirements for career and technical education (CTE) at the high-school level vary. It
may be possible to begin teaching in one of our state’s CTE concentration areas with as
little as a GED or high-school level diploma if you have industry-recognized credentials,
pass all required basic skills and occupational competency exams, and possess the
appropriate documented wage-earning, work experience. Career and technical
educators have the advantage of being able to initially apply for full-time employment
without certification. Once hired, the teacher must complete all required coursework
through the approved academic program offered at West Virginia University Institute of
Technology (WVUIT) to become certified. This program consists of seven courses (22
credit hours) taken over a maximum period of five years. For more information about
career and technical education, visit the West Virginia Career and Technical Education
homepage at http://careertech.k12.wv.us/ or www.teachwv.com.

Transferring Military Credit to College Credit:

More than 2,300 colleges and universities recognize transcripts endorsed by the
American Council on Education (ACE) as official documentation of military experiences
and accurate records of applicable ACE credit recommendations. The military provides
several fully online resources that make it easier than ever to transfer military courses
into college credit:
• Army, Army National Guard, and US Army Reserve: http://aarts.army.mil/

• Navy and Marines: http://smart.navy.mil

• Air Force: http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp

• Coast Guard: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg1/cgi/ro/official_transcript.asp

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the troopstoteachers
process
Step 4: Finding Employment

Substitute Teaching:

There may be no better way of opening the door to job opportunities

with a local school district than by beginning your
teaching career as a substitute. The state requires
candidates for substitute teaching permits to:
• Have attained a bachelor’s degree with
at least a 2.0 GPA from an accredited
institution of higher education;
• Be willing to complete three days (18
clock hours) of educational training;
• Have a record of good
moral character and receive
recommendation from the
superintendent of the county in
which he/she will be employed.
Be sure to contact your local
school district for more details
on how you may become a
substitute teacher.

14
Opportunities to Teach with a First-Class/Full-Time Permit

Candidates currently enrolled in an approved teacher certification program who already

hold a bachelor’s degree and at least a 2.5 GPA from a regionally accredited institution
of higher education may pursue full-time positions via a First-Class/Full-Time Permit.
These individuals may apply for full-time teaching positions while working on their
teaching certificate, provided they:
• Have a professional commitment verifying enrollment into a state approved teacher
preparation program.
• Have completed 25 percent of an approved program or six semester hours
(whichever is greater) of credit verified by the institution of higher education in the
specialization area of which the candidate desires to teach.
• Attain the recommendation of a county superintendent verifying that the applicant is
the most qualified person for the position and has been hired for the position.
The candidate must complete all professional teaching certificate requirements within
five years of receiving the First-Class/Full-Time Permit.

Complete the following tasks to locate jobs and complete your transition as
a professional educator:

1. Check each county/school district website for job postings at Teach West Virginia
(www.teachwv.com).
2. Check the West Virginia State Job Bank (http://wvde.state.wv.us/jobs/).
3. Apply for jobs within the school districts of your choice.
4. Interview with the school districts.
5. Become employed as a professional educator.

For more details about substitute teaching permits, First-Class/Full-Time Permits, teacher certification
requirements, or job opportunities visit www.teachwv.com or call the Office of Professional Preparation at
1.800.982.2378.

15
Step 4: Finding Employment (cont’d)

Junior ROTC Programs for High Schools

The Troops to Teachers program offers career counseling and assistance in finding initial or
future employment as a JROTC instructor. The following links are to the official websites for
JROTC in each military branch.

• US AIR FORCE:
http://www.au.af.mil/au/holmcenter/AFJROTC/AboutJROTC.asp

• US ARMY:
https://www.usarmyjrotc.com/

• US MARINE CORPS: (select cancel if asked for a password)

http://www.mcjrotc.org/about/

• US NAVY:
https://www.njrotc.navy.mil/what_is_njrotc.asp

16
For more information about the Troops to Teachers program and how to become
an educator in West Virginia, please visit our program’s federal website at
www.proudtoserveagain.com
our state website at
http://wvde.state.wv.us/troopstoteachers
or contact:
Robert P. Mellace III
Troops to Teachers Coordinator
West Virginia Department of Education
Office of Professional Preparation
Building 6, Room 252
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25305
1.800.982.2378
1.304.558.7010
rmellace@access.k12.wv.us

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 West Virginia Board of Education
2010-11

Priscilla M. Haden, President

Jenny N. Phillips, Vice President
Robert W. Dunlevy, Secretary

Michael I. Green, Member

Burma Hatfield, Member
Lowell E. Johnson, Member
L. Wade Linger Jr., Member
Gayle C. Manchin, Member
William M. White, Member

Brian E. Noland, Ex Officio

Chancellor
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission

James L. Skidmore, Ex Officio

Chancellor
West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education

Jorea M. Marple, Ed.D., Ex Officio

State Superintendent of Schools
West Virginia Department of Education