Cerritos College News Releases -- October 2004

Teaching Future Teachers: How One Student Found His Calling

Jonathan Stewart is One Among Many Finding Success in Cerritos College's Teacher TRAC Program

For Immediate Release: October 21, 2004

Media Contact: Kristen Habbestad, Public Affairs; (562) 860-2451, ext. 2287, khabbestad@cerritos.edu

NORWALK, CA – October 21, 2004 – Jonathan Stewart is an average college student with an above-average sense of direction.

The 19-year-old Cerritos College sophomore is uncommonly focused upon his goal of becoming an elementary teacher. He’s nearly halfway finished with the Teacher TRAC program at the college, which is a fast-track program that allows those who plan to teach grades K-6 to complete their general education courses at Cerritos College—which are taught from the perspective of an elementary teacher—and then transfer to Cal State Long Beach, where they earn their bachelor’s degree and credential, all within four years.

Stewart, a resident of Lakewood, stands out dramatically among his peers both at the college and within the Teacher TRAC program. He currently serves as a student representative to the board of the National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP). Cerritos College helped to establish NACCTEP, which exists to promote the community college role in the recruitment, preparation, retention, and renewal of diverse Pre-K-12 teachers and to advance quality teacher education programs in the community college. 

Sue Parsons, Cerritos College Teacher TRAC director, also serves on the NACCTEP board. In October 2004, Stewart and Parsons traveled to Washington D.C. to attend a meeting for the organization's board. There, Stewart met Dr. Susan K. Sclafani, counselor to the U.S. secretary of education.

Parsons remarked on the impression that Stewart created with those he met at the nation’s capital.

“For leaders who are working to improve education across the country, Jonathan’s courage, sense of calling and charisma are a breath of fresh air,” said Parsons. “He’s a great student—very articulate about his goals—and honest about the challenges he faces. It’s rewarding to have Jonathan represent the hundreds of Teacher TRAC students like him who are flocking to the profession and filling area classrooms well-equipped to lead children in learning.”

Stewart said he knew in high school that he wanted to become an elementary teacher.

“As an African-American, I feel strongly that other minorities need a father figure in their lives, especially at an early age,” he said.

“I think there are a lot of kids out there without a father figure in their lives. After my parents divorced when I was young and I lived with my mother, I didn’t have the influence of my dad. As a result, I think I unconsciously made other men in my life—like my friends’ dads—my ‘father,’ in a sense. I want to be able to do that for other kids.”

Stewart said his experience with the Teacher TRAC program at Cerritos College has further confirmed that he’s headed in the right direction. Teacher TRAC’s general education programs are taught by educators who present not only the subject matter, but teach the students how the subject relates to the teaching profession.

For example, Stewart said that his math class is geared toward understanding the principles so that they can be developed into lesson plans and taught at the elementary level.

Stewart’s favorite subject is history—he’s a World War II buff—but the Teacher TRAC class that has really captured his attention is Introduction to Teaching, where he had an opportunity to visit a kindergarten class at Ferguson Elementary in Hawaiian Gardens.

At the elementary school, Stewart observed the teacher lead the class in some bilingual instruction. He said this helped him identify how he, as an educator, could similarly reach students with special needs.

“There are lots of school kids from low-income areas and needy families,” Stewart said. “I want to work with them.”

Plus, Stewart laughed, the kids are just a lot of fun.

“I have a good time getting on the floor and playing with them and placing myself back into the mind of a kid,” he said.

Looking ahead to CSULB, Stewart said he’s ready for the transition between Cerritos College and the Cal State system.

“Early in my childhood, my dad was in the military and we moved around a bit,” he explained. “We lived in Japan for a while, and in New Windsor, New York, and I became really good at making new friends and adapting to new environments.”

Stewart has a half-brother and step siblings, but basically grew up as an only child. He grew up playing pop Warner football when he was younger and then played football and ran track as a student at Artesia High School. Now at Cerritos College, he concentrates on his studies.

“I’ve got classes that demand a lot of time and attention,” Stewart said. “I really have to focus.”

If he has a choice, Stewart said he hopes he can teach either third or sixth grade. He said he just likes the developmental stages kids are at during these grades.

Most of all, Stewart said he tells others about his positive experiences in the Teacher TRAC program. He complimented Parsons and Cheryl Shimazu, a member of the Teacher TRAC leadership team, on their administration and organization of the program. 

“They’re not afraid to just jump in and do anything to make the program successful and to help the students,” Stewart commented. “I think that the professors in the program pick up on this, and that really affects how they give such careful attention and one-on-one help to us in our classes. They really are good examples of how we should be as future educators.”

To learn more about how Jonathan Stewart and other Teacher TRAC students have successfully applied, entered, and graduate from the Cerritos College and CSULB Teacher TRAC program, please visit online at www.teachertrac.com.

For nearly 50 years, Cerritos College has served as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County communities including Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, La Mirada and Norwalk. The college offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 24,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu. 

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KH