2nd Grade – PREMISE: An Native American returns from war to a job teaching 2nd Grade at a rural Oklahoma school.
2nd Grade – Product details
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2nd Grade 2nd Grade Publisher : Independently published (August 5, 2015)
- 2nd Grade Language : English
- 2nd Grade Paperback : 94 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1071196863
- ISBN-13 : 978-1071196861
- 2nd Grade Item Weight : 10.7 ounces
- Dimensions : 8.5 x 0.24 x 11 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #9,307,185 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #21,618 in Military Thrillers (Books)
2nd Grade – Making the Transition to Teaching with TTT Services
The Departments of Defense and Education founded the Troops to Teachers (TTT) program to assist veterans transition into teaching careers after completing their military service. Since the program began in 1994, TTT has helped thousands of veterans every year start successful teaching careers. TTT members are encouraged to teach in low-income school districts and pursue teaching in math, science, special education and other high-needs areas. In this guide, learn how the Troops to Teachers program provides the tools and resources for starting a teaching career after military service.
Discover the right career for you
Don’t settle for a career you’re not passionate about. Get matched with careers when you give your interests.
The Troops to 2nd Grade Teachers Mission
- Assist transitioning military veterans into teaching careers.
- Provide exemplary role models for today’s youth.
- Help fill teacher shortages in critical subject areas and geographical regions.
By 2013, more than 17,000 active duty military veterans transitioned into teaching positions through the Troops to Teachers Program.Troops to Teachers Grant Study (2014)
Who is Eligible for TTT Services?
The TTT program is open to all transitioning military veterans who will be or have been honorably discharged and have a bachelor’s degree or alternative training. Members of the National Guard and Reserves of the Armed Forces may also apply.
- Eligibility for Referral & Placement Services Prospective veterans who are eligible for general TTT services can take advantage of all referral and placement services. TTT provides information on state certification requirements and helps eligible members find employment in their chosen state.
- How to Register To register for the program, applicants must be an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces with an interest in a career of instructional or non-instructional teaching. Registration can be completed online or through a paper registration form.
- Financial Assistance Eligibility The TTT program offers two forms of financial assistance: a $5,000 stipend or a $10,000 bonus. Both the stipend and bonus require three-year teaching commitments. The stipend award amount is based on the location of the teaching position.
More than 85 percent of TTT educators are male, compared to 26 percent in the overall teaching force.Troops to Teachers (2015)
2nd Grade Sample
FADE IN:
INT. COMMERCIAL JET AIRLINER – DAY
At the end of his military service, a triple amputee returns to his tiny “one school” Oklahoma town.
Achak Narcomey (23), who has lost both legs and an arm in the war, comes from a close-knit, lower-middle-class community. He sits in the very back of the plane in a seat by the window.
Achak is watching out the window. The plane circles over his tiny community of Medicine Park. Over the wildlife reserve, he looks down on the buffalo, elk, deer and Texas longhorn cattle. He looks at Medicine mountain (Mount Scott, OK) from above. The plane lands at the airport in Lawton.
The passengers look ready to depart. The plane is late and they might be missing their connections.
The pilot stops the aircraft just before reaching the terminal and sets the parking brake. He pushes the public address button.
PILOT
Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking. I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honour and respect. His Name is Private Boyle, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private Boyle is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant Cortez. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.
Nearly, the entire plane is respectful. In the back of the plane, near Achak, a single obnoxious passenger isn’t respectful.
obnoxious passenger
(loudly)
Damn it!
(quietly)
They’re gonna make me miss my connection.
Several passengers turn toward Achak. They think he make the crude comments. Achak looks at the man in disbelief.
A ramp is rolled out and the GOLD STAR FAMILY gets out of their seats. When the family gathers their things, a PATRIOTIC passenger slowly starts to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon nearly the entire aircraft is clapping. Words of ‘God Bless You’, ‘I’m sorry’, ‘thank you’, ‘you can be proud’, and other kind words are uttered to the family as they make their way down the aisle and out of the airplane.
The flight staff are lined up somber and respectful at the exit of the plane.
MOTHER
(whispers to the pilot)
Thank you.
Achak watches out the window as the casket is removed from the cargo hold and placed in a funeral van. The family are on the tarmac observing the transfer. The family gets into a funeral car and follows the van as it moves away.
The pilot pulls the plane next to the gate; it comes to a stop. The pilots start their shutdown procedures. People are exiting the plane.
Achak is making his way from the back of the plane, but he can hardly stand and when he does the going is slow. Achak can see the obnoxious man complaining and pointing to his watch and then his connection. Achak can’t hear but he can guess.
Once the obnoxious man exits, all the passengers except Achak are gone and the flight attendants begin crying. They’ve held their tears as long as they can. The pilot opens the cockpit door.
When the flight attendants see Achak making his way down the aisle, they manage to stop crying and try a fake smile.
flight attendant
Have a good day, sir.
ACHAK
(to the pilot)
Thank you for the announcement.
PILOT
Not a problem. Do you need any help?
ACHAK
Nah, I got it. Thanks anyway.
PILOT
Have a good day.
INT. LAWTON AIRPORT TERMINAL – DAY
Achak’s family looks a bit worried that perhaps their son isn’t on the plane. Achak is welcomed joyfully by his parents and girlfriend, Wyome (20), but his mother shrieks and can’t hide her heartbreak over seeing his prosthetic arm and legs.
Achak maneuvers over to his mom and hugs her and then to his dad. Wyome is there next to hug. Wyome is very happy to see him, but she has a tear or two on her cheeks.
INT. Achak’s family – DAY
Father and Mother are in the front of the car. Wyome and Achak are in the back seat.
FATHER
You have a great girl there, son.
MOTHER
And she has a new job.
Wyome
I got on at the plant.
ACHAK
Oh, that’s great. Proud of you.
FATHER
What?
ACHAK
Proud of her!!!
Wyome leans over and whispers in his ear.
Wyome
I love you.
He is about to say, “I love you too.” But she moves to put her hand on his leg… and realizes it’s plastic. She nervously pulls her hand back. She is just as nervous as he is. She realizes her mistake and quickly touches his arm and caresses it. But the damage is done. Achak is uncomfortable but he manages a smile.
INT. WYOME’s family HOME – DAY
WYOME’S PARENTS sit at the dinner table with Wyome and Achak. There is complete silence. It’s very odd when Achak needs to cut his meat. After an moment Wyome does it for him.
FATHER
So, what happened?
WYOME
Dad, I’m sure he’s told that story 100 times.
ACHAK
I got blew up.
WYOME
Dad. Really, can’t you leave us alone?
FATHER
Leave you alone? Why would I do that? You’re my flesh and blood.
ACHAK
It’s okay.
(to the father)
Sure what do you want to know?
Wyome’s father hesitates and there is a long beat.
Wyome’s mother breaks the silence.
MOTHER
So what are you going to do now you’re out of the army?
ACHAK
Well, I…
WYOME
Mother, it’s much too soon for Achak to be thinking about a job.
(half beat)
He’s just out of the hospital.
ACHAK
I don’t know yet.
WYOME
He’s going to be happy and productive. He’s going to be just like everybody else.
ACHAK
Everybody isn’t happy and productive.
(smiling)
What she means is that I’m going to get a job, like everyone else. So… yeah, that’s the plan. Get a job. Get married.
(half beat)
Maybe.
Another odd moment… more like a minute. There isn’t any reaction from Wyome’s parents.
Long beat.
ACHAK
Well, it was a wonderful meal. Thank you ma’am.
(half beat)
I appreciate you having me.
MOTHER
Thank you for coming.
ACHAK
I’m just not used to such a lavish spread. Army food and then hospital food. What a meal!
(to the father)
Thank you, sir.
There isn’t any response from the father.
ACHAK
Well, I better be off. Flying just wears me out.
WYOME
You don’t want to stay and watch a movie?
ACHAK
I need to sleep; I’m sorry. Give me a day or two and I’ll back to normal.
Achak is uncomfortable talking with Wyome and her parents about the war and about his future. The parents might be opposed to their becoming married because of something in the past. But, they look like the type that might expect a 100% whole son-in-law. They don’t say anything and it’s very subtle but they might be pressuring Wyome to find Achak a “real” job.
EXT. WYOME’s family HOME – DAY
Wyome walks out to Achak’s car with him. She is about to hug/kiss him but he uses his left hand to open the car door. He pivots his torso away from her and there is an odd moment/embrace. He pivots back around and they fully embrace.
INT. WYOME’s family HOME – DAY
When Wyome returns inside, her mother is there to meet her.
MOTHER
Oh Honey, are you sure this is what you want to do? He’ll never have a job. And a man need a job a sense of worth, and if he can’t find any, most men will revert to alcohol or become violent.
Wyome contemplates but of course she only hesitates a second.
WYOME
No, he was my boyfriend before, and now after nothings changed.
Wyome’s in this film seems influenced by love but also (in part) by her parents that expect her to marry well.