Bearcats complete child development and education pathway
34 students earned college credit and became eligible for an Assistant Teacher Permit
– Thirty-four Paso Robles High School seniors were recognized for completing the Cuesta College Dual Enrollment Child Development and Education Pathway during a ceremony held May 11 at Cuesta College’s North County Campus.
The recognition ceremony honored students who completed a Career Technical Education pathway designed to prepare future educators through college coursework, classroom experience, and early childhood education training.
Paso Robles students joined 17 students from Atascadero High School for the event. The students were recognized for completing the pathway and pursuing careers in education.
The ceremony featured a keynote address from former Bearcat and Paso Robles Joint Unified School District alumna Ceci Martinez, who completed the same education pathway while in high school and now teaches first grade at Virginia Peterson Elementary School.
Martinez currently hosts high school interns from the district’s Bearkitten Preschool program in her classroom.
“The students light up when they see the high schoolers step into the classroom,” Martinez said during her remarks.
Martinez also reflected on how the internship experience influenced her own path into education and the opportunities it provides for students interested in teaching and child development careers.
Through the Paso Robles High School Education Pathway, students earn transferable college credit through Cuesta College’s College and Career Access Pathways program while gaining practical experience in educational settings. Graduates are eligible to apply for the Assistant Teacher Permit through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
“This is an exciting moment for our CTE Education pathway,” said Megan Cannon, Paso Robles Joint Unified School District college and career coordinator. “Seeing 34 of our seniors ready to enter the workforce or continue their education with a professional permit in hand is a testament to the strength of our community partnerships and the dedication of our students and staff.”
Students who complete the pathway are also eligible to participate in the SLO Partners Ticket to Teach Apprenticeship Program, which provides additional coursework, mentorship, and classroom experience for students pursuing careers in education.
District officials said the ceremony marked the first formal celebration of the partnership between local schools and higher education agencies that supports students pursuing careers in education.
Paso Robles Joint Unified School District serves more than 6,400 students throughout northern San Luis Obispo County.
