For immediate release

April 27, 2017

Superintendent Johnson Celebrates the Month of the Military Child; 
Caps Off Month with Special Announcement

April is the Month of the Military Child. This awareness month recognizes the children of our brave service members and reiterates our commitment to supporting our nation’s military and our North Carolina military families.

The Department of Defense has awarded the NC Department of Public Instruction a $168,000 grant to support NC Troops to Teachers and connect veterans to careers in K-12 education. Only a select number of states received this award. Through this grant, North Carolina will connect former service members with school districts seeking qualified teachers and operate a volunteer mentor network of program alumni to support veterans transitioning to the classroom.

“North Carolina’s Troops to Teachers program supports two indispensable communities in our state – our military service members and our teaching workforce,” said NC Superintendent Mark Johnson. “I am grateful for our veterans who continue to serve our nation in the classroom and for the opportunity they provide our students to learn from these unique role models.” 

On Friday, Superintendent Johnson will join the NC National Guard to see their Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy in action. The Academy concentrates on providing high school dropouts or expellees with the discipline and life skills necessary to be productive members of society.

Due to the travel requirements with the National Guard, there will be no set media availability on Friday, but please contact NC Department of Public Instruction Communication division at 919.807.3450, for more information and check NC Superintendent Johnson’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/markrjohnsonnc/) for live streaming.

About Troops to Teachers:

Troops to Teachers was established in 1993 to assist transitioning service members and veterans in beginning new careers as K-12 school teachers in public, charter, and Bureau of Indian Affairs schools. The program provides counseling and referral services for participants to help them meet education and licensing requirements to teach and subsequently helps them secure a teaching position. Since 1993, more than 20,000 veterans have successfully transitioned to a career in education.

About Tarheel ChalleNGe Program:

North Carolina’s Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy is a quasi-military program for high school dropouts or expellees who, if left unguided, could be headed for trouble. The Program concentrates on providing these young adults with the discipline and life skills necessary to be productive members of society.

The Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy is a volunteer program. Anyone can recommend and assist cadets. However, an applicant must volunteer for the training and be motivated and committed to turning his/her life around through this “second chance.” There is no cost to the cadet or the cadet’s family other than personal items like toiletries.

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