Touch the future in a unique way Published Nov. 18, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Cory Smith 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Minot servicemembers attended a "Troops to Teachers" career seminar here Nov. 17. The seminar is held to help educate and recruit Minot Airmen for the troops to teachers program. Troops to Teachers is a U.S. Department of Education and Department of Defense program that helps eligible military personnel begin a new career as teachers in public schools where their skills, knowledge and experience are most needed. "The program is important because we are providing our country with a pool of talent of highly qualified, highly skilled and highly experienced and mature teachers," LeRoy Gaub, Lewis and Clark Troops to Teachers program manager said. "This program helps provide knowledgeable teachers which benefit one of our most cherished assets -- our future, our children -- the students." The most rewarding part of becoming a teacher is to see the success of the students. "The fulfillment of teaching is just tremendous," Bill Cox, Central Campus Plus principal said, "I get to see the success of the students two years down the road. I'm investing in the future of young men and women that will one day take care of me when I retire." A Valley City, N.D. resident who participated in the program during his transition feels the program provides many opportunities to excel. "Teachers are more important now than ever," Frank Egan, Sheyenne Valley Area Career and Technology Center teacher said. "Students want a framework and pattern they can learn within. As a teacher you give them that framework. If you are good at your job, the students will also develop a sense of security knowing they can depend on you." "The financial assistance I received from the Troops to Teachers program helped me to pay in part the cost of 40 credits of education classes at the local university," he added. The seminar discussed eligibility requirements, licensure, and what benefits the program may provide to those eligible. One of the most frequently asked questions is "what can I teach?" "The one piece of advice I could give someone interested in teaching is to work with the state that you plan to teach." Karen Botne, North Dakota Troops to Teachers program director said. "It is important to find out what each state's licensure requirements are and to find out whether someone interested can teach with or without a teacher's certification." The seminar helped point many in the right direction to begin their transition from servicemembers to possibly a rewarding career in teaching. "I've been interested in teaching for five to six years now and this seminar was a great way to see how, and where I need to go," said Master Sgt. James Bradley, 5th Munitions Squadron munitions accountability noncommissioned officer-in-charge. For more information on the Troops to Teachers program, visit their website at www.montana.edu/ttt.