Adult Learners Forge New Career Paths in Spanish-Language Child Education

A small cohort of 25 adult learners proudly walked across the graduation stage at Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest last week with not just a certificate, but the beginning of a new career path. The students are part of a Spanish-language child development cohort supported by a partnership between the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) and the college.

“We really wanted to give them a chance at enrolling in school and completing units,” said Ami Moser, content coordinator for Universal Pre-K at KCSOS. “It’s about opening doors for groups that often don’t get enough attention and creating pathways into early childhood education.”

The program is funded through the K-16 Education Collaborative and the English Learners Workforce Investment Initiative (EL-WIN), which focuses on building a stronger multilingual workforce across California. Educators and community partners from the EL-WIN workgroup discussed how to expand opportunities for multilingual educators. The partnership quickly became a grassroots effort focused on removing barriers for students. Cerro Coso staff traveled to Bakersfield to help students enroll, navigate technology, and complete applications.

“They were so willing to work with us and make it happen; they’re really passionate about their child development program,” Moser said. “They are so invested in these students succeeding.”

The students completed four eight-week online courses totaling 12 units of early childhood education. Cerro Coso offers the courses completely in Spanish, one of the only colleges in the area to do so. The college had the resources to conduct the class but needed a teacher, so Gladys Garcia-Jara, Senior Director with KCSOS Early Education, stepped in. Because many of these adult learners are native Spanish speakers or bilingual, they now have a more accessible entry point into higher education. 

“This program highlights the importance of expanding educational opportunities for Spanish-speaking students pursuing careers in education and helping build a multilingual workforce for Kern County,” Garcia-Jara said.

Cecilia Estrada, UPK Program Specialist with KCSOS, said one of the participants who worked in the fields told her that she was looking forward to getting her permit to gain better opportunities for herself and her family.

“She’s just so excited to be able to do this next step, because she never got the opportunity to go to college where she was from,” Estrada explained. “She told me: ‘I’m just excited to be a professional and have this opportunity.’”

Estrada, who supports students through the permit process and career readiness training, said the work is especially meaningful because of her own experience as an English learner.

“As a multilingual student, you really need someone who understands your experience,” Estrada said. “These future educators are going to support not only children, but also families. Students will see themselves in their teachers.”

That representation matters, Moser added.

“Children need to see adults who speak their language and look like them in positions of trust and leadership,” she said.

After completing coursework in January, students participated in one-on-one workshops to apply for assistant and associate teaching permits through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. KCSOS staff helped guide them through fingerprinting, applications, and field experience requirements. They are now eligible to take the next steps toward careers in preschool and transitional kindergarten classrooms.

“They can apply for teacher’s aide positions in Head Start programs, state preschool programs, and private preschool programs,” Moser explained. “To be a lead teacher in a California State Preschool or Head Start, you have to have a teacher permit, which is another goal for these people.”

Support does not end once students have their permits. On May 30, participants will attend a Career Readiness Academy hosted in partnership with KCSOS College and Career programs. The workshop will include resume building, mock interviews, employment panels, and guidance on applying for jobs in early childhood education.

“They can ask questions about employment, they get to practice either in English or Spanish, whatever they feel more comfortable with,” Estrada said. “Anything that’s going to get them ready to go into job searching and enter the field.”

KCSOS leaders hope the program continues to grow. A second cohort of 22 students is already underway, and organizers say there is a waiting list of community members eager to participate.

“Twenty-five people may seem small, but it makes a huge difference,” Moser said. “Twenty-five becomes 50, and 50 becomes 75. That’s how you start building a stronger multilingual workforce for our schools and communities.”

Garcia-Jara agreed, adding that teaching this cohort has been extremely rewarding.

“Watching them grow both professionally and academically has been truly inspiring,” she said. “These students demonstrated dedication, resilience, and a deep commitment to early childhood education throughout the program.”

For the graduates and their families, the celebration was unforgettable. Students walked in graduation ceremonies wearing caps, gowns, and personalized sashes while family members cheered them on.

“It felt like one big family celebration. Hearing how exciting it is for them to have completed this, they’re so proud of it,” Estrada said. “It’s a great experience to be part of this and support them, it’s so rewarding.”