January 15, 1999
San Diego State University is looking for bilingual (English and Spanish) risk takers and innovative thinkers who have worked with culturally diverse children to participate in an accelerated teacher credentialing program.
Focus on Learning is a new project created by SDSU professor Dr. Richard Pacheco with a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The program, which begins in June, will accept 30 highly qualified students from throughout Southern California who meet the following criteria:
"The need (for new teachers) is so great, districts are bringing in teachers with emergency credentials," said Dr. Pacheco. "Due to the shortage of teachers in California, particularly those that work with non-English speaking students and their parents... more programs like these will be critical to the academic success of these students."
By the year 2004, California will need approximately 200,000 new teachers to alleviate the teacher shortage created by the class-size reduction implemented in elementary school classrooms across the state.
According to Dr. Pacheco, the program, which is being developed with cooperation from four local school districts —National, Chula Vista Elementary, Southbay Union and San Ysidro Elementary School District— is open to everyone but is particularly targeting working professionals wishing to make a career change.
Program participants will receive 120 hours of training in classroom management and organization, lesson planning and California State Standards.
Once the training is completed, the candidates will be placed in a paid teaching position in one of the four school districts. They will have up to two years to complete the required course work at SDSU —tuition free— for a California State Multiple Subject BCLAD Credential. For more information, contact Mary Seppi at (619) 594-5863.
Return
to Frontpage