CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginia leaders want more veterans in the classroom.

The Troops to Teachers program, introduced nationally in 1994, is meant to encourage more National Guard, reserve and former active-duty military veterans to become teachers.

Gov. Joe Manchin and state Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine will be on hand today at Piedmont Elementary in Charleston to announce the state's expanded effort.  

Robert Mellace in the state Department of Education's Office of Professional Preparation said his job is to market the program to National Guard and Reserve bases in West Virginia.

"Really, since we're starting kind of from scratch here, we're starting out with some general information and some marketing ideas that I have," Mellace said.

He plans to develop a Web site that will offer information about scholarships available, links to federal resources, how to obtain teacher certifications and more.

Manchin spokesman Melvin Smith said Troops to Teachers is a joint federal-state program.

Mellace said a state Department of Education staffer had previously volunteered to promote the Troops to Teachers program, but additional funding wasn't freed up until recently. He did not say how much money the state has to market the program.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginia leaders want more veterans in the classroom.

The Troops to Teachers program, introduced nationally in 1994, is meant to encourage more National Guard, reserve and former active-duty military veterans to become teachers.

Gov. Joe Manchin and state Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine will be on hand today at Piedmont Elementary in Charleston to announce the state's expanded effort.  

Robert Mellace in the state Department of Education's Office of Professional Preparation said his job is to market the program to National Guard and Reserve bases in West Virginia.

"Really, since we're starting kind of from scratch here, we're starting out with some general information and some marketing ideas that I have," Mellace said.

He plans to develop a Web site that will offer information about scholarships available, links to federal resources, how to obtain teacher certifications and more.

Manchin spokesman Melvin Smith said Troops to Teachers is a joint federal-state program.

Mellace said a state Department of Education staffer had previously volunteered to promote the Troops to Teachers program, but additional funding wasn't freed up until recently. He did not say how much money the state has to market the program.

Across the state, few former soldiers have become teachers, Mellace said.

"We want to see that change," he said. "Who would be better to teach a chemistry or biology class?"

Mellace said the experience a soldier receives in the military translates well in the classroom, particularly in areas of high need such as math, science and engineering.

"Veterans possess a wealth of knowledge, talent, skills and experience that they can share with West Virginia students," Paine said in a news release. "Many of them have science, math and engineering backgrounds that we desperately need. They also bring a world view to the classroom that works well with our 21st Century Learning initiative to help our children succeed in a global economy."   

Smith said troops-turned-teachers also play positive role models when it comes to physical fitness and wellness. 

"I think it's going to be a positive addition any time you can add teachers to the work force," Smith said.

Mellace said former soldiers also could provide support to students with a parent deployed overseas. "It's good to have a veteran who the child can relate to talk about that experience in the classroom," he said.   

Reach Davin White at davinwh...@wvgazette.com or 348-1254.