Cerritos College News Releases -- February 2008

NORWALK, CA – February 13, 2008 – Cerritos College is proud to announce that it has launched Career Technical Education Teacher TRaining ACademy (CTE Teacher TRAC). CTE Teacher TRAC is a grant-funded component of the Cerritos College Teacher Training Academy (Teacher TRAC) that provides services to future CTE educators in the areas of Automotive Technology, Welding and Woodworking.

Teacher TRAC is an award winning program that allows future teachers to complete required course work and gain invaluable teaching related experience. While Teacher TRAC continues to focus on preparing future elementary school teachers and secondary teachers in the areas of math and science, CTE Teacher TRAC was created to address the statewide need for CTE teachers at the secondary and community college level.

"Teacher TRAC strives to offer programs and pathways to fill the demands of the loca teaching workforce.” Says Sue Parsons, Director of Teacher TRAC. “It is a pleasure for Teacher TRAC to join with the outstanding Cerritos College automotive, woodworking and welding departments to help both high school graduates and skilled professionals become teachers and share their much needed craft with others.”

Four pathways for teaching in high school and community college are supported through the services offered by CTE Teacher TRAC. David Roper, a Natural Science major who enrolled in CTE Teacher TRAC found the program beneficial in many ways. “Setting up internships and teaching observations at local high schools and colleges; having specified counseling available; assisted and organized conferences specifically for teachers and the teaching profession… They have eased my journey of becoming a teacher through their guidance and counseling.”

Partners in the CTE Teacher TRAC include the Southeast Regional Occupation Program (SEROP), California State University Long Beach (CSULB), California State University Los Angeles (CSULA), and the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association (SMCDA).
“Through CTE Teacher TRAC, our high school students connect with the many staff and resources available to them at Cerritos College, and our teachers work collaboratively with Cerritos College instructors. CTE Teacher TRAC is a great example of how our partnership with Cerritos College has maximized both of our resources to promote student success,” stated Gil Montano, Superintendent of SEROP.

“Our program serves as a source of guidance, support, and assistance,” stresses Mirna Cardenas, Project Manager of CTE Teacher TRAC, “and we take honor and pleasure in serving students and assisting them in achieving their goal of becoming CTE Teachers by creating opportunities for them to gain exposure to the field, connect with faculty, develop their own academic pathway, and provide additional services as needed.”

CTE Teacher TRAC is offering various opportunities for students to explore and learn about the teaching profession. More information on how to be a part of CTE Teacher TRAC is available at www.teachertrac.com or at 562.860.2451 ext.2212.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 200 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently nears 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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Cerritos College

Releases 2008