West Virginia is taking the desire for veteran leadership in the classroom seriously.

Gov. Joe Manchin and state Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine plan to announce Tuesday the beginning of Troops to Teachers. The joint state-federal program is designed to get more National Guard, reserve and former active-duty veterans to become teachers.

Troops to Teachers began nationally in 1994 but is new to the Mountain State.

Robert Mellace is in charge of marketing the program to teachers for the state Department of Education. He says veterans have skills that are in high demand in primary and secondary schools.

In particular, he cited many veterans' background in math, science and engineering.