About This Episode
Season 6. Episode 5.
Across the country, school districts are grappling with the challenge of teacher shortages—and Barstow is no exception. But instead of waiting for solutions to come from outside, Barstow Community College and Barstow Unified School District are taking matters into their own hands with an innovative approach: the Grow Your Own Teacher program.
In this episode of Education Insight, we talk with Carrie O’Neil, Director of the Teachers Pathways Project, and Dr. Jennifer Rodden, Dean of Instruction for Career Technical Education at Barstow Community College. Together, they share how this forward-thinking program is designed to build a sustainable pipeline of educators directly from the community.
Through local partnerships, targeted financial assistance, and real-world classroom training, the program empowers aspiring teachers—whether they are paraprofessionals already working in schools or recent high school graduates—to begin their journey toward becoming credentialed educators. By creating clear pathways and removing barriers, the initiative not only strengthens the teacher workforce but also ensures that local students are taught by professionals who deeply understand their community.
Featured Guest
Dr. Jeff Oldfield
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Interview Highlights
3:57 – Adrienne describes dual enrollment and its benefits.
7:15 – Adrienne speaks to how recent California mandates and initiatives may have influenced the growth of these new programs.
8:34 – Adrienne explains what research shows about the impact of dual enrollment on a student’s academic achievements or even their future success.
9:24 – Adrienne shares examples of dual enrollment activities that are taking place in our region and what is happening in the IE.
13:11 – Adrienne talks about strategies in place to make sure that equal opportunities are available for all students.
20:18 – Jorge explains how dual enrollment aligns with his role at Riverside County Unified School District.
21:28 – Jorge shares his experiences and thoughts on the current dual enrollment programs that are being offered at Riverside Unified School District.
23:32 – Jorge gives insight into how dual enrollment makes students career ready.
25:58 – Jorge describes what challenges students typically face in dual enrollment programs and how he addresses those issues.
32:43 – Jorge shares what he would like to see be the future of the dual enrollment program in his district and beyond.
36:31 – Special Feature: Avijeet Randhawa, 8th-Grader, Auburndale Intermediate School in the Corona Norco Unified School District.
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Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.