Proud to Serve Again
SDSU is the new location for California's Troops to Teachers program.
SDSU’s College of Education kicked off its partnership with the California Troops to Teachers program with a grand opening celebration at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.
SDSU President Stephen Weber; Ric Hovda, dean of the College of Education; and Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., addressed the group of educators, military personnel and veterans in attendance.
The center is moving from Sacramento because organizers believe there is a more natural fit within a college of education in a part of the state with the highest concentration of veterans and active-duty military, said Bill Leitheiser, director of California Troops to Teachers.
From battlefied to the classroom
Co-administered by the U.S. Departments of Education and Defense, Troops to Teachers seeks to place mature, motivated, experienced and dedicated personnel in the nation’s classrooms, often in high-need, economically disadvantaged schools in urban and rural areas
“Veterans make great teachers because of their proven commitment to selfless public service,” Leitheiser said.
The federal program’s new California office at SDSU will offer career services, academic advising, counseling and financial services to military personnel helping them to transition to teaching careers.
High veteran unemployment rate
In the current economy, the program is increasingly important. Filner noted that the unemployment rate of veterans is sometimes two to three times higher than the rate of civilians, which is currently around 10 percent.
More than 750 Troops to Teachers have entered California classrooms since the program was created, already producing outstanding results for children and administrators.
SDSU values student veterans
Troops to Teachers joins a wide array of services offered to veterans at San Diego State, including the Veterans Center, housing for student veterans and the VetSuccess program.
SDSU has more than 1,000 student veterans and active-duty military enrolled in classes.
