COSA is organizing a committee to advise on how to attract and assist former members of the military considering careers in education and education administration.

The committee will hold its first meeting following the August 22 Funding Coalition meeting in Salem.  It will be chaired by  Dr. Fred Maiocco, Superintendent of Hermiston School District and a Brigadier General commanding the 85th Support Command and Assistant Division Commander for Support, 1st Army, Division West. 

There is a substantial body of law and policy to assist veterans in Oregon, but missing is information for veterans regarding opportunities open to them in education. Thousands of veterans will be entering the civilian work force with outstanding skills but without adequate information on education career opportunities.

Veterans represent a pool of candidates with substantial training in military occupations that readily translate into skills needed as Oregon schools look for highly competent, mature, motivated, mission-oriented teachers and teacher leaders. A substantial number of veterans leave the military with significant expertise in vocational/technical areas along with experience as trainers (teachers) that can readily translate into the CTE classroom. Because of the military’s demographic makeup, it also would allow COSA and school districts to further long-held goals of diversification among school administrators.

Along with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, there are a number of government and private organizations dedicated to assisting veterans in this area. This committee would help integrate COSA and other education organizations into these various programs.