In response to critical teacher shortages across the United States, ÉðÊ¿Âþ» (UA) will support the launch of Operation Teach, an initiative designed to assist military personnel and their spouses in transitioning to teaching careers. The University has been awarded a $482,389 grant by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce as part of the Governor’s Ohio Military Veteran Educators Fellowship Pilot Program to support the initiative.
With nearly half of public schools reporting full- or part-time teaching vacancies, the program offers a promising solution to the nationwide educator workforce crisis while providing veterans with meaningful career opportunities after military service. Operation Teach represents an innovative approach to tackling two critical challenges: supporting veterans' career transitions and addressing the urgent need for teachers in public schools.
The two-year initiative, developed by UA’s LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) School of Education and the Urban STEM Center, will launch in summer 2025, with active recruitment of participants beginning in 2026. The grant will provide comprehensive support — including tuition, fees and learning materials — for 15 military participants, guiding them from recruitment through their first year of teaching.
"Our goal is to create a seamless transition for military personnel into the education workforce," said Dr. Karen Plaster, Urban STEM Center director and professor of practice in the LJFF School of Education in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences at UA. The program will be led by Plaster in collaboration with Dr. Piya Chatterjee, assistant professor of practice, Dr. Renee Mudrey, associate professor and assistant director of the school and Dr. I-Chun Tsai, associate professor.
Operation Teach will leverage partnerships with Barberton City Schools and Manchester Local School District to establish robust support networks for these future teachers. UA's Military Service Center will play a crucial role in helping participants navigate the transition from military service to teaching. Key program elements include the creation of a professional development institute and one-on-one mentoring.
Recruitment efforts will focus on two key strategies: engaging with regional military and veteran centers and utilizing digital platforms to reach potential candidates. The first cohort will begin developing personalized career plans with University advisors in spring 2026.
Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476, cboyd@uakron.edu