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Cerritos College
Teacher TRAC Program Graduates First Class
For
Immediate Release: May 15,
2001
NORWALK, CALIF – “On May
10, 1999 – two years ago next week – President Bob Maxson of
California State University, Long Beach and then Cerritos College
President Fred Gaskin signed a memorandum of understanding that
created a teacher education partnership between the two
institutions. Thus was born the Cerritos College Teacher TRaining
ACademy (Teacher TRAC). And… here we are recognizing the first class
of graduates this evening,” stated Vice President of Public Affairs
Dr. Steve Helfgot in his opening remarks of the first ever Teacher
TRAC Recognition Ceremony on May 3.
Twelve ambitious students
(pictured above) enrolled in the program,
and now two years later they are graduating and transferring to
CSULB, to complete the final two years of their teacher preparation.
A time of celebration and a time of tears, the students, their
families, faculty and staff gathered to recognize the great success
of the program, but more importantly the incredible dedication and
hard work of the students.
“The Teacher TRAC program is
designed to develop the teaching skills needed to face the
challenges of today’s teaching profession, as well as providing the
students with the solid content foundation to be engaging, competent
beginning teachers,” explained Sue Parsons, Teacher TRAC
director.
“I am bursting. You inspire
and energize us all,” Parsons told the graduates. “I believe in you,
[Cerritos College] believe[s] in you. There is a quote ‘To teach is
to touch lives forever.’ You have touched our lives and I know you
will touch the lives of many children,” she added.
Marking the transition, Dr.
Kathleen Cohn, associate dean for the College of Education at Long
Beach, addressed the students congratulating them on completing the
first two years and welcoming them to Long Beach.
Not only did the ceremony
recognize each graduate, but it also recognized the faculty and
leadership who have helped to make the program a success. The
students even surprised Teacher TRAC faculty and staff with a token
of appreciation – a framed group photo.
  
Former Cerritos College
president Dr. Fred Gaskin returned to present the Fred Gaskin
Teacher TRAC Transfer Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship is
awarded annually to a student transferring from the Teacher TRAC
program to CSULB’s Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP). In
addition, the student’s name is added to a perpetual plaque in honor
of Gaskin and the Teacher TRAC program. The first recipient is
graduate Tami Francis. In addition, the scholarship was matched by
CSULB. Cohn presented the second $1,000 to Francis. (Pictured above from left to right: Gaskin, Francis and
Cohn)
“I am shocked,” said Francis
as she received the scholarship. Her classmates smiled and responded
“We aren’t.”
In an essay composed by
Francis, she wrote, “The collaboration of the TRAC program, teaching
staff, and classmate’s support are how the Teacher TRAC’s program
has contributed to my goal of becoming an elementary school
teacher.” Francis further emphasized the importance of her
classmates stating, “The first group of the TRAC program to move
into CSULB consists of 11 of the most dedicated, supportive,
enthusiastic bunch of people I am proud and honored to be a part
of.”
Cerritos College is proud of
the first graduating class of the Teacher TRAC program. The students
transferring to CSULB in fall include Ingrid Cherrington
(Bellflower), Leticia De Leon (Whittier), Jycell Delgado (Norwalk),
Tami Francis (La Mirada), Lina Martinez (Downey), Lorraine Phillips
(Cerritos), Jacqueline Rios (Bell), Marilu Rosales (Bellflower),
Laura Sander (Downey), Monica G. Torres (Commerce), Veronica H.
Torres (Commerce), and Tracie Ybarra (Bellflower).
To learn more about the
Cerritos College Teacher TRAC program, visit the website at http://www.teachertrac.com/
or call 562.860.2451, ext. 2213.
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MR
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