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Georgina Perez started completing her online coursework to become an assistant preschool teacher last December — around the same time she began treatment for colon cancer.
“I really thought once (I started my classes), I wasn’t going to be able to continue,” said the mother of three who had always wanted to become an educator.
During a 22-day hospital stay, Perez’s teachers continued to support her and provide extensions when needed. Meanwhile, the nurses respected her time at school — sometimes waiting for a class to be over before coming in to draw her blood.
With the support of her community, she has now achieved her goal.
Perez is one of 99 parents on the verge of becoming educators through the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Career Development Initiative, which helps parents complete the coursework required to take on various teaching positions, ranging from assistants to lead teachers.
The program is a new collaboration between the Los Angeles County Office of Education, UCLA, West LA College, Teachstone, Waldorf University and several local nonprofit organizations and school districts.
Students can decide to complete their coursework at a campus of their choosing, depending on their individual needs.
At UCLA, for example, classes take place asynchronously. But at West LA College, classes are online and synchronous, and students have access to professors and a designated “coach” to support them.
“Our parents come with a perspective that they want the very best for their child,” said Angela Capone, the program manager of workforce development and professional learning at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, also known as LACOE.
Having parents teach in the classroom is important, Capone said, especially as interactions between teachers and other parents become “an exchange of a passion for children.”
The effort comes as California continues to struggle with a shortage of more than 3,000 teachers. Last year, the state experienced a 16% drop in teaching credentials issued following seven years of increases.
“I hope that what happens is, through these pathways, these folks will go out and share their passion and commitment and excite other people to join the field,” Capone said.
Debra Duardo, the Los Angeles County superintendent of schools, dropped out of high school in ninth grade. But when, at 16, she had a son who struggled with a disability and frequented the hospital, she realized it was time to return to the classroom.
“Having that child really motivated me,” she said. “If I’m going to raise this child and be the best mother I can be, I’m going to go back to school.”
Duardo shared her story with a packed audience at the Santa Fe Springs Town Center Hall on Wednesday — an event celebrating 40 parents who completed a program enabling them to work as assistant preschool teachers.
“Children look at you every single day. They don’t go by your words. They go by your actions,” she said at the “End of the Year Reflections” event themed, “A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with One Step!”
“You have made a decision, your families have made decisions to support you to do this,” LACOE’s chief education officer, Maricela Ramirez, told the crowd. “Not only are you changing your lives, you’re changing your entire families’ lives; you’re changing the lives of children who you haven’t met in future generations.”
Fourteen of the students recognized at the event have already started working in the classroom or will begin later this month.
Martha Rebollar, a mother of two children, is one of those 14. Her son — who used to struggle emotionally — inspired her to learn more about child development. With her family responsibilities, she initially found it unfathomable to pursue a career in education.
But Rebollar’s confidence grew over time. After interviewing for St. Anne’s Family Services, she said she told her mom, “I am 100% sure tomorrow is going to be the first day.”
She secured the job and has been in the classroom for almost a month.
Both Rebollar and Perez said they feel proud and thankful for the wealth of support they received.
“I’ve always pushed my oldest daughter to go to school. I’ve told her to finish what you started: ‘You think it’s a piece of paper; it’s an open door to other things,’” Perez said. “She sees me do it, and she realizes if I can do it, she can do it.”
Panelists discussed dual admission as a solution for easing the longstanding challenges in California’s transfer system.
A grassroots campaign recalled two members of the Orange Unified School District in an election that cost more than half a million dollars.
Legislation that would remove one of the last tests teachers are required to take to earn a credential in California passed the Senate Education Committee.
Part-time instructors, many who work for decades off the tenure track and at a lower pay rate, have been called “apprentices to nowhere.”
Comments (4)
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Maryam Sadeq 9 months ago9 months ago
Dear Sir/madam,
I would like to enroll myself for teacher assistance trainings, would you please let mw know how to proceed with that.
Thanks,
Maryam
Mary Johnson 9 months ago9 months ago
Is this a internship program for the 100 parents, that allow parents to become a lead teacher or teacher assistance? Do these parents have to eventually earn an credential to become a lead teacher or is there a wavier? Who are the 100 parents and how were they recruited for the program? How were they selected? How did the school district recruited the 100 parents? What School and district is participating in the program? … Read More
Is this a internship program for the 100 parents, that allow parents to become a lead teacher or teacher assistance? Do these parents have to eventually earn an credential to become a lead teacher or is there a wavier? Who are the 100 parents and how were they recruited for the program? How were they selected? How did the school district recruited the 100 parents? What School and district is participating in the program? Did the school or district have an open call for parents and caregivers from any parents that was interested in apply for the program? If there are parents and caregivers still interested in applying for the program, how do they apply and to what agency? Are they parents and caregivers from LA County in schools in their community? This kind of opportunity should been open to all parents and caregivers, not just a selected few. I like to know how they recruit more parent an open invitation to the public. How was this program funded, from federal, state, or local?
Replies
Smita Patel 8 months ago8 months ago
Hi Mary, For more about the program, do check out this week's Education Beat podcast: https://soundcloud.com/edsource-1/this-program-turns-parents-into-preschool-teachers The program is not an internship. It's intended to help parents complete the coursework required to take on various teaching positions, ranging from assistants to lead teachers. As explained in the article, this is being done through a collaboration that includes the Los Angeles County Office of Education, UCLA, West LA College, Teachstone, Waldorf University and several local nonprofit organizations and … Read More
Hi Mary,
For more about the program, do check out this week’s Education Beat podcast: https://soundcloud.com/edsource-1/this-program-turns-parents-into-preschool-teachers
The program is not an internship. It’s intended to help parents complete the coursework required to take on various teaching positions, ranging from assistants to lead teachers.
As explained in the article, this is being done through a collaboration that includes the Los Angeles County Office of Education, UCLA, West LA College, Teachstone, Waldorf University and several local nonprofit organizations and school districts.
If you have further questions about the program, you will find contact information on this page from the Los Angeles County Office of Education: https://prekkid.org/universal-pre-kindergarten-career-development-initiative-launch/
Monica 9 months ago9 months ago
What a great story! I went to school to be a preschool teacher, but my plans changed due to elder parent caregiving needs (and needing a less demanding position). I am still in the classroom but work as a special education tutor in the RSP world for children with learning and/or physical disabilities. God and fate had a different plan for me but I'm still grateful to be in a classroom and part of an … Read More
What a great story! I went to school to be a preschool teacher, but my plans changed due to elder parent caregiving needs (and needing a less demanding position). I am still in the classroom but work as a special education tutor in the RSP world for children with learning and/or physical disabilities. God and fate had a different plan for me but I’m still grateful to be in a classroom and part of an inspiring team. Even if I never use my preschool site supervisor permit I’m okay with it, as long as I am doing what I believe I’m supposed to be doing with the gifts and talents I was given. Congrats to all the parents who have completed their schooling – it’s NOT EASY!!