A new program promises to help teachers of the future. The program is called Teacher Training Academy, or Teacher TRAC. Jeff Miller is the program facilitator.  On May 10, college President Dr. Fred Gaskin and Cal State Long Beach President Robert Maxson signed an agreement to create a teaching program, joining both schools to serve as a model for the state of California.  After they signed the agreement, the program started in late May. June was the first full month of operation.

Teacher TRAC is a four-year program conducted in collaboration with CSULB. It is designed to prepare students who want to become an elementary teacher.  "At the end of four years of full-time study," Miller said, "students will receive a bachelor's in liberal studies and their multiple-subject teacher credential."  Since the program is for everybody who wants to become an elementary teacher, there is a minimum of requirements to be eligible.  The requirements include being in Math 30 or higher, English 50.2 or higher, and must have a 2.50 GPA.  The students are to transfer to CSULB only. "Since the program is new, CSULB would not be accepting students until the fall of 2001," Miller said.

The program offers other kinds of help such as, CBEST and CLAD preparation, opportunities for service learning, educational technology preparation, personal academic counseling and more.  Miller said, "We are trying to make Teacher TRAC a model program for the state and the nation."  The program is planning several events including conferences for students to attend, receptions, and social gatherings.  The students have the opportunity to complete 40 to 80 hours of service, learning field experience in local elementary schools.

According to Miller, since the program just started, a lot of time is spent communicating, collaborating and organizing some of the efforts with CSULB and local elementary and high schools.  There are currently 41 students in the program. "We have several hundred students who will soon be Teacher TRAC eligible as soon they complete the required math and English classes," Miller said.

Anyone interested in Teacher TRAC can contact the office at (562) 860-2451 ext. 2212, or visit the web page at www.teachertrac.com