The Opportunity

As schools and educators gear up to return to in-person instruction and teacher shortages continue to be exacerbated by the pandemic, California is in dire need of well prepared teachers. The majority of California's expanded learning educators--which includes anyone who works in a before or after school program, in a summer program, or in an extended day program--are young, bilingual people of color who come from the dame communities they serve and have strong knowledge and abilities in youth development, making them well positioned to become the teachers of tomorrow.

What to expect at the event

• Remarks from state leaders.
• Discussion of why and how expanded learning educators are well-positioned to become credentialed teachers.
• Explorations of potential models for preparing expanded learning educators to become high quality teachers and how these models can support retention.
• An opportunity to hear from two Communities of Practice who have been looking at how to make these pathways a reality in their communities.
• A chance to review and provide feedback on emerging recommendations from developing expanded learning teacher pathways.

Note: There will be an opportunity for those who wish to stay for an additional hour (12:30-1:30) who are part of the San Francisco Bay ECE/EDU Apprenticeship Regional Joint Venture to discuss the findings in this event further.

If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Leslye Lugo at llugo@afterschoolnetwork.org