Georgia is receiving $1.3 million to help U.S. military veterans begin careers in teaching.
The Georgia Department of Education received a $1,324,170 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to administer the Troops to Teachers grant program in partnership with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The grant was awarded less than 24 hours before State School Superintendent Richard Woods was recognized as one of just 13 Georgia employers to receive the Patriotic Employer Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office.
The $1.3 million grant is designed to assist transitioning veterans as they work to meet requirements necessary to become teachers, and helps program participants find employment as a teacher when eligible.
“Our military veterans have already demonstrated extraordinary courage, skill, and leadership,” Superintendent Woods said. “They are well-suited to the education profession, and I’m so pleased that this partnership will assist our veterans who want to continue their service in the classroom.”
According to information from Troops to Teachers, veterans share common skills and traits that allow them to serve effectively as classroom teachers, including leadership, adaptability, communication skills, initiative, discipline, and integrity. And school administrators have found that veterans interact effectively with parents, community members, and other teachers and staff.
“Our military veterans have given so much to our country,” said Kelly Henson, Executive Secretary of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. “We are delighted to be able to provide some opportunities for them. And, the partnership between GaPSC, DOD and GaDOE will be a great platform to deliver these opportunities.”
L-R: Keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel, Retired Thom McKennie; State School Superintendent Richard Woods and his wife, Lisha Woods; Commander Justin Hill and his wife, Ti Hill
In related news, Woods, who grew up in a military family, received the Patriotic Employer Award for his support of the military. He was nominated by Commander Justin Hill, who works at the Georgia Department of Education as State Coordinator for the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program.
“Superintendent Woods has taken the time to both privately and publicly thank me for my service to this country,” Hill said. “He has written personal notes of thanks and even attended my most recent promotion ceremony to the rank of Commander (O5) in October 2017. At this ceremony, Mr. Woods stated his support to me, my family and to those in attendance. His support has caused a positive ripple effect throughout the entire agency. My family has never felt so supported and appreciated. It is a pleasure and honor to support a supervisor that holds my service and sacrifice in such high regard.”
Thom McKennie, Lieutenant Colonel, Retired, was keynote speaker at an event recognizing the award recipients.
“As employers who support your military employees, you have taken away that one stressor that could cause a military member to decide whether they are going to continue to serve, or if they are going to leave,” he said. “That is of utmost importance to us, as staff members of the military. Thank you for what you do. Thank you for encourage our soldiers and their families. Without that relationship, we would be in a constant rotation of having members join and leave [military service] repeatedly.”
Woods said of the award, “I grew up in a military family and, knowing some of the difficulties our service members face, I’ve tried to make the Department of Education a friendly, supportive place for them to work. I’m humbled and honored to receive this award – and to be nominated by an employee who’s both a stellar member of our team and someone who has served his country with distinction.”
