Cerritos College News Release

NORWALK, Calif. – September 12, 2008 – Cerritos College’s award-winning Teacher Training Academy (Teacher TRAC) has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Boeing Foundation, benefiting its Special Education Intern Program (SETup) which provides pathways and services to future educators to teach students with special needs.

The check was presented during the program’s new student orientation on September 4, which was well-attended by over 40 new students.

The Special Education Intern Program (SETup) is a K-12 special education teacher preparation program of Teacher TRAC that offers selected students the opportunity to explore working in an inclusive classroom, teaching Math and Science to children with special needs.

Funded by the Boeing Foundation, this program is a partnership between Cerritos College and California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) that will prepare future special education teachers allowing them to complete a baccalaureate degree, student teaching, multiple subject teaching credential and educational specialist credential in four calendar years. ABC, Bellflower, Downey, Norwalk-La Mirada, and Paramount Unified School Districts are also partners in the grant and each district has a master, mentor teacher who will work with a group of the SETup students.

“The Special Education Intern Program is in its third year with two successful years. Some students transferred to four-year universities and are on their way to becoming special education teachers,” said Sue Parsons, director of Teacher TRAC. “The funding will enable us to continue the program and student success.”

“I would like to congratulate all of you for choosing to make differences in others by teaching, because I can’t think of a better way to serve the community,” said Steven Chesser, community investor at Global Corporate Citizenship Boeing Programs Long Beach, to the future teachers.

Cerritos College’s Teacher TRAC program offers many services, programs, and pathways for students interested in teaching K-12. For students interested in becoming an elementary school teacher, Teacher TRAC's flagship program is a partnership with California State University Long Beach. As a student in the integrated, standards-based Teacher TRAC / CSULB program, students can earn their bachelor's degree and multiple subject teaching credentials and complete their student teaching within four years. 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 surpasses 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

###

Cerritos College

Releases 2008