SAN JOSE, CA – Kaila Schwartz, a drama teacher at Milpitas High School, transitioned from full-time acting to teaching because she was "looking to make a difference in the world." "I teach because I really believe in cultivating and nurturing talent in people," she adds.
Kaila is highlighted in the second volume of the 2018 edition of the Public Service Announcement (PSA) series, "Why I teach." She is featured along with Caroline Sienknecht from Country Lane Elementary School in the Moreland School District and Janet Plant from Luther Burbank School in the Luther Burbank School District.
The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) has released this PSA series featuring local award-winning teachers to help inspire others to join the teaching profession. The series is part of an on-going initiative to increase qualified teaching candidates.
The Learning Policy Institute recently reported that "teacher shortages are still widespread and growing worse in many communities."
To help guarantee the next generation of great teachers, the SCCOE is hosting Step into Teaching, a one-day workshop designed to recruit individuals with or completing a Bachelor's degree, business professionals, and classified school employees who are looking to enter the teaching profession.
"This is a great opportunity for potential teaching candidates to meet with local credential granting programs and learn the next steps to joining the teaching profession. There are many opportunities for teachers in the county, including bilingual education and special education. These positions are especially in high demand," says County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan.
To learn more or register for Step into Teaching visit: https://www.sccoe.org/events/stepintoteaching/Pages/default.aspx
The PSA series will be released every week for the next eight weeks. Each episode will feature local teachers sharing why they teach. In addition to being posted to the SCCOE YouTube channel, the videos will also be provided to local cable access channels in the various municipalities throughout the county.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.
