The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) was recently awarded a Hawaii Troops to Teachers (HTTT) grant.  The federal funds totaling $600,932 over five years, will help align the Defense Department’s Troops to Teachers goals with HIDOE’s diversified teacher recruiting and retention plan.

“Troops to Teachers is a smart approach to second career recruitment that directs efforts toward a highly skilled workforce who also have deep core values demonstrated through their selfless service to our country,” said Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto. 

The proposed HTTT program will provide a stable career for those transitioning out of service and retired military members. HIDOE’s objective is to develop an innovative approach by employing a Responsive Recruitment Model with the purpose of: 1) recruiting eligible current and former members of the armed forces; and 2) facilitating employment opportunities as school teachers and career or technical teachers, as designated by district needs.

“Hiring HTTT candidates will bring HIDOE closer to its long-term strategic goal of having a qualified teacher in every classroom, while providing a stable and rewarding career opportunity for our military service men and women,” added Assistant Superintendent Cynthia Covell.

Congress enacted the Troops to Teachers (TTT) program in 1993 to assist eligible current and former members of the armed forces to transition into second careers as teachers. Within the Department of Defense, the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness, Force Education, is responsible for program policy, funding and oversight.  Hawaii’s grant began on May 15, 2018. 

For more information about the Department’s plans to implement the HTTT grant and other recruitment and retention strategies, click here to view today’s Board of Education presentation.