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New Program Touts Opportunity for Spouses 

Georgia National Guard Spouses who hold a bachelor degree or higher, and may have been considering a teaching career now have a resource for following through on that goal.

Georgia is one of six states participating in the Spouses to Teachers program. Operated under DANTES’ Troops to Teacher program, the spouse’s version is a joint effort between DANTES and the Department of Defense to lead spouses to a career in public education.

Through the new program, launched in early September, spouses have information and counseling resource that helps them understand requirements for state teacher certification. It also provides them with an update of the most critical teacher needs, financial assistance for degree completion, certification programs and state specific programs that lead to certification.

Spouses to Teachers also assists programs participants with information concerning the transfer of certification from state to state, as well as help in locating employment.

Those seeking teacher certification, who have a bachelor degree or better, receive financial assistance in the form of a reimbursable $250 stipend that pays for tests required as part of the certification process.

Degreed Spouses also will receive counseling on their options for achieving certification and information on employment opportunities. Non-degree holders receive help identifying degree completion programs, state and federal financial assistance and job placement.

Another benefit for program participants is the Web site www.SpousesToTeachers.org

The site provides links that will take spouses to other Web locations that deal with recruiting new teachers, job searches, resume and interview tips, financial aid and other teacher certification programs.

For more information contact Lt. Col. Matt Shannon, the Army National Guard’s education officer at 678-569-5302 or by e-mail at matthew.shannon@ga.ngb.army.mil