About Our Work
Supporting Military Veterans
Among the most critical responsibilities of a nation is to provide for the education of its youth and to appreciate the service of those in uniform who have protected the integrity and safety of its ideals. These responsibilities have not received the attention that reflects the values or the needs of the United States of America. A new program developed by concerned professionals from education and the military addresses these national responsibilities. Having served the nation in uniform, or at home, service members and their spouses have a new and extremely important mission of preparing the nation’s youth for the future.
A New Mission
Our nation's schools desperately need education leaders, teachers, and support personnel who are capable of addressing the increasingly complex needs of America's students and ensuring that our nation’s schools are among the best in the world. School districts across the nation are finding that they are unable to staff classrooms, hire principals or superintendents, or find support personnel who can provide a quality education and who are essential to the safe and effective operation of schools. This need represents a national crisis. Learn more about the roles needed in today’s schools.
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At the same time America’s schools require the best and brightest to ensure the success of the next generations of youth, many of our most talented are separating or retiring from service to our nation in the military. Others continue to serve as reservist or guardsman and can complement their duties with service to America’s schools. Along with sacrifice on behalf of our nation, these veterans, guardsman and reservists, along with their spouses are seeking to find employment in civilian sectors where they can apply skills sharpened in the military, including a highly regarded work ethic, commitment to mission, and the ability to lead and motivate people. Patriots to Education (PTE) is assisting veterans, and their spouses in pursuing a new mission by transitioning from military service to employment in the nation’s public schools. PTE founders are retired national leaders in education and the military who recognize the need to work closely with the nation’s public-school systems in recruiting veterans and their spouses for unfilled critical school positions. These positions range from bus drivers to school district superintendents, including resource officers serving as school safety and security staff. Learn more about our team.
What We Do
Kane Swaney, U.S. Air Force (Ret)
Technology and Engineering Teacher,
Caesar Rodney High School
I would say people should try this program. They will help you in many different ways and our experience from the military helps us become excellent teachers. It really helps us once they see your work ethic and your dedication--it really makes you become a valued member in the department of education, as a whole.
Ron Shannon, U.S. Marine Corp (Ret)
Social Science Teacher,
Murrieta Mesa High School
I served in the United States Marine Corps as a Tank Commander and as a Shooting instructor. I made the decision to begin my second career in public education. It was a very good decision because it allowed me to establish a stable career to support my family.​​
PTE creates a pathway for those looking for highly rewarding careers following their service in uniform or their supporting role as a spouse. The path starts by recruiting “patriots” who have retired from the military or are serving the reserves or National Guard and who have an interest in helping young people, including those who want to return to their home states when they leave the service. Once they have decided upon the role they want to play in the schools, PTE helps them identify sources of training, education, or certification required for their chosen job categories in the state. Next, by working with the public schools, PTE identifies available jobs and works with the schools to offer placement assistance, so the PTE “client” acquires the best job match with their school. The final step in the journey is the follow-up assistance that is provided to those newly placed in the public schools. This last step includes transition mentoring, skill development opportunities, leadership development, and further career planning.
A Connection to Schools
Any interested public school district or public charter school can take advantage of the PTE services without additional costs. PTE founders have worked with school districts across the nation, and especially in the initial pilot states, to design a system that is convenient and effective for both service members and spouses, and the public schools. Allies in the development of PTE include federal government departments and agencies (e.g., US Department of Education), national associations (e.g., Council of Great City Schools), state and local governments (State Departments of Education and local school districts), veterans organizations state groups and councils affiliate with the military, and community groups. It is through consultation with these and other groups that PTE as develop a program that supports those who have served our nation to again experience a lifetime of service to our nation and their communities by fulfilling critical roles in the public schools.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together - contact us at information@patriotstoeducation.org