In a heartfelt ceremony at Hedgesville Middle School, Governor Patrick Morrisey signed Senate Bill 765 — also known as the Troops to Teachers Act — into law on Wednesday.
Surrounded by members of the school’s student council, Morrisey praised the new legislation as a critical step in addressing West Virginia’s ongoing teacher shortage while providing meaningful second careers for veterans.
The Troops to Teachers Act revises sections of the West Virginia State Code dealing with teacher preparation, including both traditional and alternative certification routes. The goal is to create a streamlined, accessible pathway for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who meet specific criteria to become licensed teachers in the state.
“This is about getting rid of unnecessary bureaucracy and giving our veterans a fair shot at becoming educators,” said Morrisey. “West Virginia has one of the worst teacher shortages in the country, and we need quality educators in our classrooms. Veterans bring leadership, discipline, and a wealth of real-world experience that can be invaluable to our students.”
The bill mirrors a former federal program — also named Troops to Teachers — that was managed by the Department of Defense. That program was shut down in 2023 due to a decline in participation.
A Government Accountability Office report found that the program had produced just 1,450 teachers in 2020, a significant drop from 7,718 in 1994. Still, many believe that with better state support, the model can succeed where the federal effort fell short.
Senator Tom Willis (R-15), the bill’s primary sponsor and a veteran himself, said the legislation is deeply personal. A native of Hedgesville and a proud father, Willis returned to his daughter’s former school to speak about the bill’s impact.
“This bill merges my two greatest passions — service and education,” Willis said. “It cuts red tape and offers a fast, fair, and effective path for veterans who want to give back to their communities by teaching.”
Delegate Bill Ridenour (R-100), who has championed similar efforts in the House of Delegates, shared how the bill might have changed his own post-military journey. After retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2000, Ridenour said he was interested in teaching but struggled to find a program to help with the transition.
“I had three young kids and was looking for a stable career,” Ridenour explained. “I had heard of the federal Troops to Teachers program, but it had already ended. Something like this would have made all the difference for me.”
The signing event also featured remarks from two local teachers who are veterans themselves: Scott Budka, a special education teacher, and William Hubert, a science teacher. Hubert spoke passionately about how his military service shaped his teaching style.
“My time in the Marine Corps taught me how to teach, how to lead, and how to adapt plans as needed,” Hubert said. “Those experiences made me a stronger, more effective educator and gave me tools that I now pass on to my students.”
As West Virginia continues to struggle with teacher recruitment and retention, the Troops to Teachers Act offers a new strategy—one that honors the service of veterans while enriching the educational experience of students across the state.
With this new law, West Virginia hopes to turn its classrooms into places where leadership, experience, and dedication come together to inspire the next generation.
