ASU open house encourages vets interested in teaching careers

Continuing with its trend of reaching out to veterans, on Feb. 18, ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, College of Technology and Innovation and Pat Tillman Veterans Center will co-host an open house aimed at making enrolling in the education program easier for veterans.

Many veterans find that the leadership and disciplinary skills they learn in the military translate effortlessly to a teaching career.

Sgt. Steve Perez, currently a junior at ASU, said his military experience is “adding a really unique element to the classroom that’s been received really favorably.” Now a junior, Perez is prepping for a student-teaching position and is hopeful that a position as a middle-school math teacher will follow.

The open house runs from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Polytechnic campus in Mesa, 7001 E. Williams Field Road. Prospective veteran students and their families can tour the campus’ married and family housing, and also discuss transcripts, admissions and financial aid with advisers. They will also have computer access to submit their applications, with application fees waived for those who apply at the workshop or within 24 hours.

Teachers College assistant dean Connie Pangrazi wants vets to know that they’ll have ample support along the way toward a teaching career. “We’re working ... to make sure that they know that we would like them in the profession, and that we’ll work with them,” she said.