Thursday, May 21, 2009

Post 9/11 GI Bill "Info Session"

An informational workshop on the Post 9/11 GI Bill is scheduled with Congressman Harry Mitchell (D-AZ 5th) and the Department of Veterans Affairs at Mesa Community College on June 6th from 1400-1600. To view flyer, click here.

Secretary of Education on TTT

Following some comments and questions of Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI), before the House Education and Labor Committee on 5/20, particularly on proposed HR1313, Education Secretary Arne Duncan responded, "I'm a huge fan of Troops to Teachers. I think it's a phenomenal pool of talent. As you said, many men from the minority community - great leaders by definition who are just phenomenal role models."

To view transcript of Secretary Duncan's opening testimony remarks to the Committee, click here.

To view the complete hearing, click here.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Wayland Baptist "Fast Tract" Certification



Wayland Baptist University is rolling out a "fast tract" secondary education post-baccalaureate teacher preparation program. Highlights of this certification (AZ) program include:

  • cost - Only $220 per graduate level credit.
  • convenience - Courses meet at Luke AFB when needed (most coursework online).
  • time - Complete the program in less than one year (begin Summer '09, complete Spring '10) with 5 three credit courses and a 14 week student teaching/practicum (8 credits). WBU terms are 11 weeks in length and recommend two course load per term.
  • Meets the requirement for the provisional Structured English Immersion Endorsement.
  • Direct transferability towards completing the M.Ed requirements.

For an overview of the program, click here.

For more information, or to apply for the program, contact Dr. Sue Bradley - bradleys@wbu.edu, or Bruce Schamburek - schamburekb@wbu.edu - 602-279-1011. Feel free to also contact Ashford or John at the TTT office to discuss if this program will work for your pathway.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Top 25 Cities For Teachers

A recent survey conducted by The Apple (an online community for teachers) and Monster.com illustrates the top 25 cities for teachers. A variety of factors were considered such as growth rates, salaries, unemployment rates, cost of living and commute times. You can review the survey/list here. Although Phoenix did not make "the list", here are your top 25 cities for teachers:
  1. Austin
  2. San Antonio
  3. Salt Lake City
  4. Oklahoma City
  5. Raleigh
  6. Seattle
  7. Rochester
  8. Portland
  9. Denver
  10. Honolulu
  11. Nashville
  12. Virginia Beach
  13. Kansas City (MO)
  14. Pittsburgh
  15. Charlotte
  16. Boston
  17. Buffalo
  18. Columbus
  19. Indianapolis
  20. St Louis
  21. Hartford
  22. Louisville
  23. Cincinnati
  24. Philadelphia
  25. San Diego

University of Phoenix Partnership

The Troops to Teachers Arizona Office recently formed a partnership with the University of Phoenix Military Division. Through this partnership, Arizona TTT program participants are eligible for a 25% tuition discount which currently equates to a discounted cost of $386.25 per credit (lower division undergraduate courses are a 'flat' rate of $250 per credit). University of Phoenix is a state board approved teacher preparation program provider and well known as an industry leader in teacher education. Post-bac master degree programs are offered in each of the three basic certification paths: elementary education (K-8), secondary education (7-12), and special education (K-12). In addition, candidates seeking teaching in the middle grade (5-9) can pursue the University's Masters of Arts in Education with a Middle Level Specialization. This program culminates in not only a secondary certification but also the middle grade endorsement (grades 5-9).
For candidates still pursuing bachelor's degrees, University of Phoenix offers may undergraduate degree plans.
Approximate teacher preparation program costs (tuition) are
elementary - $15,836.25
secondary - $13,518.75
special education - $17,767.50

The university also offers condensed 3 week online courses offered at $498 a course. Click here to see listing of course offerings and start dates.