If you were inspired by a teacher who changed your life, you’re not alone. Each of us has a story to tell about a teacher who made an impact. This is especially true for today’s future teachers.

DVC students who would like to pursue a teaching career can get that same spark through the Teacher Preparation Pipeline (TPP). TPP offers tools and resources that help support future teachers. There is special interest in bringing people of color to the profession.

Resources for future teachers

Made possible by Strong Workforce funds through a Bay Area Community College Consortium Regional Joint Venture, the TPP project supports the Bay Area labor market demand for teachers. TPP is geared toward community college students who plan to become teachers.

“There is a great local need for teachers. Urgent areas of focus include career education, STEM fields and special education,” said Angela Bever, TPP Coordinator at DVC.

Future teachers at DVC have access to resources and support, virtual events and workshops. They may also join the Future Educators Club.

“The club offers options to network and share. Members gain insights from guest speakers as well. Joining the club enhances your profile for college admission and scholarships. You can also request letters of recommendation,” said Bever.

DVC classes for future teachers

• EDUC 120 – Introduction to Teaching in Elementary Schools
• GEOL 130 – Earth Science for Elementary School Teachers
• Math 125 – Mathematical Concepts for Elementary School Teachers

In EDUC 120, students gain hands-on experience working with Bever’s 3^rd grade students at Shore Acres Elementary. Upon completion of the course, students earn 54 hours of early fieldwork experience. This experience can be used to apply to a credential program.

Teach for the Bay Virtual Conference

DVC recently participated in the Teach for the Bay Virtual Conference. The event was designed to attract students interested in learning more about careers in teaching. DVC presented four workshops:

• Self-Advocacy as Educators, presented by 4^th/5th grade teacher, Patricia Hamachi and 3^rd grade teacher, Angela Bever from Shore Acres Elementary.
• Teaching in Action, presented by DVC Preschool Teacher and ECE faculty, Paula Bryson Brown and EDUC 120 faculty, Angela Bever.
• Zero-To-Three: The Growing Brain, presented by Martina Ebesugawa – DVC Full-time ECE Faculty.
• Creating Equity with Community Resources, presented by DVC alum and current CSU East Bay student, Joseph Porter.

Job Outlook

The job outlook is strong for future teachers. According to the 2019 Teacher Occupations Bay Region Report, 80 percent of school districts in California report teacher shortages.*

“There are jobs available. Many teachers retired last spring due to COVID. In the next five years, it is projected that there will be over 124,000 openings for California teachers every year,” said Bever.

There is a particular need for bilingual Spanish teachers.

“There are more options for bilingual teachers, as well as more job security. I teach at Shore Acres Elementary, a dual language elementary school. We are always looking for bilingual Spanish teachers,” said Bever.

For more information about pursuing a teaching career, visit www.dvc.edu/ece. 

*Source: Carrese, John, and Kathleen White. “Teacher Occupations Bay Region Report.” Teacher Preparation Programs, Teacher Preparation Programs, Aug. 2019, teacherprepprogram.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/COE-report-TeacherOccupations-BayRegion-web-August2019.pdf.