WHERE STUDENTS BECOME TEACHERS Bryan Valdez Teacher TRAC Class of 2006
His first day in a third-grade classroom at Alameda Elementary in Downey sealed the deal. Watching young students light up with curiosity made him realize he was right where he belonged. When the 2008 recession threatened to derail his transfer plans, Sue Parsons, Teacher TRAC’s founding director, refused to let him give up. With her guidance, Bryan pushed forward, transferring to Cal State Long Beach, where he earned his degree and teaching credential. Today, Bryan teaches kindergarten at Elliott Elementary School in the ABC Unified School District, where his classroom buzzes with energy and possibility. He mentors new teachers, leads the district’s induction program, and serves as Vice President of Membership for the teachers’ union.
When Bryan Valdez walked onto the Cerritos College campus, he didn’t know where his path would lead. He only knew he wanted to make a difference. Bryan found his purpose and his voice through Teacher TRAC. The program didn’t just prepare him for a classroom; it showed him what it means to change lives. Encouraged by his advisors, he launched the Association of Future Educators, rallying classmates who shared his passion for teaching. Teacher TRAC helped me find my purpose. Now I get to pass that passion on to my students every day. — Bryan Valdez, Kindergarten Teacher and Cerritos College Alumnus
25 Years of Teacher TRAC: Powering the Future of Education For 25 years and counting, Cerritos College fuels the educator pipeline. What started in 1999 as a small idea to solve a local teacher shortage grew into a movement that prepared more than 5,000 future teachers and strengthened classrooms across our region.
Teacher TRAC doesn’t just prepare students for careers. It launches educators who shape the future. Students gain hands-on classroom experience, transfer seamlessly to CSU campuses, and return to serve the very communities where they grew up.
SCAN ME to learn how Teacher TRAC keeps our community learning. www.cerritos.edu/teachertrac
Evolution of Teacher TRAC
1999 Teacher TRAC launches to address California’s teacher shortage
2001 First class of 12 students transfer to CSU Long Beach
2007 Wins national Phi Theta Kappa Award; adds Career Technical Education and Special Education pathways
2011 Expands to middle and high school pathways
2019 Introduces Child Development track
2024 Celebrates 25 years of inspiring educators
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Cerritos College SOAR | 2025 EDITION
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