Navy Counselor Sails Into Teaching

Recently retired Navy Counselor 1st Class Spencer Martin is still serving his community. Instead of wearing a uniform, he is wearing business casual at Sunnyside High School in Washington State.

Mr. Martin, a recent graduate of Old Dominion University's Military Career Transition Program, was hired by the district during his student teaching, and now teaches science to high school freshmen. "Without the assistance of my professors, and the expert mentoring of my site advocate, I would never have realized this goal." Spencer earned his Master of Science in Education through ODU's Distance Learning program in Everett, Washington, which enabled him to complete his program in a little over one year. "Although working full time in the Navy and going to college was challenging, the reward of being hired during student teaching experience was worth the sacrifice."

When asked if he would recommend this program to others, he responded that he already had."The MCTP program allowed me to reach my goal in little over a year, when other institutions were telling me that I would have to complete a two to three year program with them."

Although he is already certified to teach his class, Spencer intends to continue his education, and will be working on expanding his certificate to allow him to teach other secondary sciences.