New ABC Teacher Pathway program and future-ready facility set to educate the next generation of teachers

On October 18, the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) in partnership with Esperanza High School (EHS) and Glenview Elementary School hosted an open house for the district’s latest Career Technical Education (CTE) venture, the ABC Teacher Pathway program. The program also partners with the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program, otherwise known as NOCROP.

Distinguished guests such as Board President, Karin Freeman, Board Clerk, Carrie Buck, Board Trustee, Judi Carmona, Superintendent, Dr. Greg Plutko, Deputy Superintendent, Candy Plahy, Executive Director, Richard McAlindin, NOCROP Superintendent, Terri Giamarino, and various district administrators all gathered in rooms H1 and H2 on the EHS campus to help celebrate the opening of the new, future-ready facility and program.

To kick off the festivities, EHS Principal, Gina Aguilar, welcomed the crowd and provided a brief overview of the program, including how it offers the ability to work with and develop students to become the next generation of teachers, counselors, and school administrators.

“We hope graduates of our pathway will fill district jobs in pre-school, childcare, and special education as they complete their degrees and credential programs,” Principal Aguilar proudly shared.

Aguilar went on to acknowledge Cary Johnson, PYLUSD’s Director of K-12 Innovation and Technology, for his vision and effort in bringing the program to life, and Alondra Ramos, Glenview principal, for her school’s supportive partnership with the Aztec Bulldog Connection (ABC). She also thanked Kim Goodwin, the district’s Work-Based Learning Coordinator and COSA, for her diligent work in bringing the program to PYLUSD.

Those in attendance then moved outside to take part in a ceremonial ribbon cutting performed by distinguished guests and program principals.

Next, the program’s teacher, Bird Potter, shared a more in-depth overview of the program classes including Principles of Teaching and Learning. She explained what students in the program learn throughout the year, including growth and development of children, classroom management, lesson planning, exceptional student issues, employment research and search skills, and much more.

Principal Ramos then shared Glenview’s excitement and experience with the program thus far. She even mentioned how her young first grade students will stop her on campus to ask when Esperanza’s students, or “Teachers in Training,” will be visiting Glenview next.

In closing, Superintendent Plutko and Deputy Superintendent Plahy also offered thanks and praise to those individuals who played major roles in developing the program in a short amount of time.