CLARKSVILLE, TN – Two Austin Peay State University employees presented research at a national education conference on how military service translates into teaching skills, part of a year-long study to inform veteran recruitment efforts and address widespread teacher shortages.
Dr. Joanne Philhower, an assistant professor in the Eriksson College of Education, and Jasmin Linares, assistant vice president for Military and Veterans Affairs, met with veteran students in focus groups throughout the 2025-26 academic year to identify key takeaways. They discussed their findings during the Association of Teacher Educators Annual Meeting in Arlington, Virginia, held Feb. 8-11.
The research emerged from Philhower’s experience teaching veteran students at Austin Peay, where approximately 33% of students are military affiliated. She noticed strong connections between military service and teaching skills through classroom discussions and partnered with the VETS Bravo-designated Military and Veterans Affairs Division to formalize her observations…