Golden Apple Foundation Launches New Pathway to Help Veterans Become Teachers

New initiative will integrate veterans into proven Scholars and Accelerators programs, addressing teacher shortages while supporting service members' transition to civilian careers

CHICAGO, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Golden Apple Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to inspire, develop and support teacher excellence, today announced the launch of Veterans into Teaching, a new specialized pathway within the organization's proven teacher training programs that will help veterans to carry their commitment to service from the military into the classroom.

The new pathway, made possible by a grant from the Pepper Family Foundation, will be integrated into Golden Apple's Scholars and Accelerators programs, which support nearly 3,000 active participants across Illinois, New Mexico, and Michigan to become certified and employed teachers in K-12 schools. The Scholars program supports undergraduates on a five-year path to the classroom. The Accelerators program, available in Illinois, is a 15-month licensure track for bachelor degree holders seeking a career change. The programs provide participants with financial support and mentorship in exchange for a teaching commitment. Veterans enrolling in the new pathway will enjoy these benefits, along with veteran-focused coaching and peer-networking opportunities to support their unique transition to civilian life.

"Veterans bring exactly the kind of leadership, discipline, and mission-driven mindset that make great teachers, and these skills transfer to the classroom far more directly than people realize," said Alan Mather, president of Golden Apple Foundation. "What this pathway adds is the support to help make that transfer real: coaching to translate military leadership into classroom leadership, guidance through the shift from military to civilian life, and a community of fellow veterans walking the path. We're not asking veterans to leave their sense of service behind; we're giving them the tools to continue service in the classroom."

Every year, approximately 200,000 U.S. service members leave the military in search of their next careers. Federal investment in national programs like Troops to Teachers has stagnated, leaving few dedicated onramps to the teaching profession. The launch of the new pathway seeks to fill this gap, while also addressing the nation's teacher shortage. An estimated 425,000 teaching positions are currently vacant or filled by underqualified staff—roughly one in eight of all teaching positions nationally. These shortages are not distributed evenly, often disproportionately impacting the students who need the most support.

Among the veterans whose experience helped shape the new pathway is Elizabeth "Liz" Schumacher, a 2008 Golden Apple Scholar who put her studies on hold in 2010 to serve six years as a Marine Corps combat engineer. After her honorable discharge, she returned to Eastern Illinois University, earned her teaching certification, and went on to teach math and later serve as an assistant principal.

"In the military, you learn to lead a group, stay calm under pressure, and put the mission and people around you ahead of yourself. Teaching asks for all of that, every day," Schumacher said. "This pathway will help veterans see that connection clearly and give them the tools to successfully bring their leadership skills and commitment to service into the classroom. Every veteran deserves that type of support when they come home."

The launch of Veterans into Teaching builds on Golden Apple's track record of developing, retaining and rewarding teachers. Four out of five Golden Apple Scholars earn a teaching license within six years, compared with 61 percent nationally, and 86 percent of Golden Apple teachers remain in the classroom for more than three years, surpassing state and national averages.

Applications are now open for the 2027-2028 school year.

About the Golden Apple Foundation
Golden Apple's mission is to inspire, develop, and support teacher and school leader excellence, especially in schools-of-need. Our leading-edge preparation delivers exceptional teachers who make an impact. We help students thrive in the classroom and in life. Since our beginning, we have recognized master educators annually, and these master educators help prepare the next generation of teachers. Our vision is one in which every classroom has a great teacher, and to realize this, we are committed to making a material difference in resolving the teacher shortage. Visit www.goldenapple.org for more information.

SOURCE Golden Apple Foundation