EDUCATOR SUPPORT
Easing the Path to Teaching Careers
Teacher recruitment and retention are at the heart of improving student success and educational quality in Ventura County. It's no secret—great teachers have a huge impact. In fact, research shows that students with highly effective teachers can make up to a full year’s extra progress compared to their peers. But here’s the challenge: California faces a high teacher turnover rate, with 13% of educators leaving the profession annually. This disruption isn’t just tough on students; it also costs more than $8.5 billion nationwide. That’s why attracting and keeping talented teachers is essential for the future of our schools. To tackle this, California has made big moves. More than $3 billion has been invested in teacher training and recruitment, and Ventura County is playing its part too. The Ventura County Office of Education is teaming up with local universities like CSU Channel Islands and Cal Lutheran to break down barriers for aspiring teachers. Through programs offering paid residencies, grants, and tuition reimbursement, they’re creating sustainable pathways for building a strong and steady workforce.
Amber Hernandez took advantage of a program that helps school employees earn their teaching credentials This year alone, nearly 300 new teachers joined local districts, including Amber Hernandez, a special education teacher in Moorpark. After years as a paraeducator, Hernandez was inspired to pursue a teaching career. Thanks to VCOE’s Classified School Employee Program, she got the financial help she needed to earn her teaching credential while continuing her work in local classrooms. “The CSEP program gave me a clear path to moving into the driver’s seat in my own classroom. It’s amazing to think about how these investments have increased my impact,” Hernandez shares. Another success story is Maria Lopez Ochoa, now an elementary school teacher in the Rio School District. As a residency candidate, Ochoa received a funded internship that helped her hone her classroom skills without the stress of financial hurdles. Today, she’s teaching at the very school where she once studied as a child. Reflecting on her journey, Ochoa says she’s grateful for the pathway that allowed her to “teach and contribute to a community that has been so meaningful in my own life.” By recruiting and supporting passionate educators like Ochoa and Hernandez, we are ensuring that local classrooms are filled with dedicated professionals. Our commitment to expanding and supporting credential pathways shows a strong commitment to bringing the best educators into our schools, and that’s a win for everyone. Learn more about VCOE’s teacher preparation programs at vcoe.org/ese .
Maria Lopez Ochoa, a teacher in the Rio School District, received a funded internship that helped launch her career
VCOE EDUCATION REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY ● 7
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