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Begin Your Next Life-Changing Mission

Join the Connecticut Troops to Teachers program to translate your skills as a veteran to a career in education.

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What is Connecticut Troops to Teachers?

Teacher and Veteran Sal Escobales talking with a Veteran

Connecticut Troops to Teachers is a program for all service members and veterans to receive counseling, financial and placement assistance in transitioning their leadership, core values and acquired skills to a career in teaching.

Supported by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) Talent Office and the national Troops to Teachers program, facilitated by the U.S. Department of Defense, Troops to Teachers has helped more than 21,000 veterans successfully transition to a career in education.

This program helps reduce veteran unemployment while also providing students with exceptional role models in the classroom.

Who's eligible? All current members of the United States Armed Forces and former members who have retired or separated with honorable discharge.

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Where can I learn more?

Our mission is to help you discover if a career in teaching is right for you.

Speak directly with Melissa Michaud-Maltese, a Navy veteran turned special education high school teacher in Connecticut. She is a TEACH Connecticut Teacher Ambassador, ready to answer any questions you have about teaching.

With a free TEACH Connecticut account you can get: 

  • 1-on-1 expert advice about becoming a teacher.
  • Custom tips and how-to guides for finding the right educator preparation program.
  • Interactive checklists to help with your educator preparation program applications.
  • $100 fee reimbursements when it comes time to apply.
  • Exclusive scholarship and financial aid opportunities.

Sign up today to get access to these free tools.

Submit an online application on the Troops to Teachers website to apply for the unique opportunities outlined above.

At no cost, you will have access to:

  • Career counseling for veterans by veterans.

  • Program coordinators and faculty advisors at each of the Connecticut State Universities.

  • Committed veteran mentors from point of enrollment in an educator preparation program through successful employment as a teacher.

  • Individualized, professional support in navigating the state’s teacher certification and licensing requirements.

  • A support network of aspiring and experienced veteran educators.

  • Connections to hiring officials in Connecticut partner districts.

  • Financial assistance and incentives ($10,000 maximum):

    • Up to $5,000 stipend to assist with education leading to a teacher certification.

    • Up to $10,000 bonus to teach in an eligible or high need school for three years.

In Connecticut, we need great teachers who represent the breadth of backgrounds, experiences and cultures of our students, and who prepare students to compete and thrive in a changing global society through science, math, technology and world languages.

Veterans increase diversity among teaching staff, which can help reduce the troubling diversity gap between teachers and students. Nationally, veterans who become teachers are 82 percent male and 43 percent from minority backgrounds.

Additionally, school administrators overwhelmingly report that veterans have a positive impact on student achievement and are effective in instruction and classroom management.

Through teaching, veterans continue to fulfill their desire to serve by helping shape the future of our country. Teaching offers you an opportunity to continue a tradition of service.

The skills veterans honed in the military—leadership, initiative, motivation, discipline, integrity, management and the ability to thrive in an ever-changing environment—are a natural fit for the classroom.

Connecticut schools need great teachers, especially those who specialize in special education, bilingual education, career and technical education, library/media studies, and STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math).

The concepts and approaches at the heart of the STEM disciplines—curiosity, inquiry, creativity, exploration, collaboration and critical thinking—are the skills that will assist students in becoming successful in higher education, in the workplace and as citizens of the world.

There are local and national funding opportunities available for military veterans.

In Connecticut, a variety of tuition waiver and financial aid programs exist to help veterans and other military personnel, including spouses and dependents, attend college. Visit Tuition Aid for Veterans on the Connecticut Office of Higher Education website to learn more and apply.

At the national level through the Yellow Ribbon Program, veterans who attend participating higher education institutions are eligible to earn a postsecondary degree free of charge at public schools, or for significantly reduced rates at private schools. Visit Education and Training on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website for a full list of Connecticut’s participating institutions.

The following schools offer cost offsets to veterans/military families. Click on the links for more info.

  • OHE Alternate Route to Certification: Military-connected students receive $2,750 credit toward the $5,500 tuition.
  • Sacred Heart University
  • Southern Connecticut State University: Veterans are eligible for a 100% tuition waiver as full-time students, and a 50% tuition waiver if part-time.
  • University of Connecticut: Veterans and certain members of the CT Air/Army National Guard in good standing who meet criteria are eligible for tuition waivers that cover the cost of accredited undergraduate and graduate programs. 
  • Western Connecticut State University: Tuition may be waived for eligible veteran and Air/Army National guard students.

Head over to Programs to learn more about Connecticut's participating educator preparation options.

Pro Tip: Check out Financial Aid & Scholarships for more funding opportunities catered to future teachers (veteran or not).

These Veterans Chose to Teach

Find out how military veterans extend their service in Connecticut classrooms.
  • Melissa Michaud-Maltese

    Melissa Michaud-Maltese

    Navy vet Melissa Michaud-Maltese uses the life-saving skills from four deployments to keep students onboard during a global pandemic.

    Her Story
  • Teacher Sal Escobales

    Sal Escobales

    Military veteran Sal Escobales considers teaching to be one of the most meaningful experiences of his life.

    His Story
  • Teacher Renita Casey

    Renita Casey

    Renita Casey served in the National Guard for 21 years. This is the story of how her military service gave her the skills and confidence to become a great educator. 

    Her Story
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“The discipline, intelligence and courage it takes to succeed in military service make our veterans uniquely prepared to excel in the classroom. I look forward to visiting classrooms in the near future to see these new teachers in action.”

— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal

Connecticut Troops to Teachers Partner Programs

  • Central Connecticut State University
    Learn More
  • Eastern Connecticut State University
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  • Office of Higher Education Alternate Route to Certification
    Learn More
  • Southern Connecticut State University
    Learn More
  • University of Bridgeport
    Learn More
  • University of Saint Joseph
    Learn More
  • Western Connecticut State University
    Learn More
  • Troops to Teachers Connecticut
    Learn More

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