Janna Kasmanian is the teacher of the Careers in Education Program at Hoover, leading educators and students into a better future.
She converts regular students into passionate educators by combining steadfast dedication and innovative leadership.
“Careers in Education is a great class to join due to the fact that it’s not just an opportunity to become a future teacher this is a class in which you learn life skills and acquire knowledge on how we grow and learn from observations and self-development,” said Alexander Guerrero Rodriguez, a junior at Hoover.
The Careers in Education program assists students in gaining Red Cross certification and crucial knowledge about child care.
Students are prepared for the future through this curriculum, whether they choose to work as teachers, social workers, psychologists, or special needs assistants.
“Taking Careers in Education is the perfect class to take while growing into your mature self. This class teaches you how to take care of children and taking it will help you become more responsible,” said to Lilly Minanian, a sophomore at Hoover who is enrolled in the program for the first time.
The program gives students an invaluable opportunity to learn about how a child develops, in order to prepare them for the future if they ever become a parent or have to take care of kids.
Kasmanian says she’s always wanted to be a pediatrician all her life, but after realizing she couldn’t help sick children, she gave up on the dream.
“So this was the next best thing,” Kasmanian says.
Kasmanian worked for a program that assisted high school students with their health education.
“I’ve always wanted to come to Hoover because I am passionate about teaching and the educational area,” she said.
This three-year program combines coursework with GGC college credits.
This presents numerous options, including the chance to work directly with kids of all ages and with the CalTech Children’s Center.
“I specifically wanted to come to Hoover because the demographic of this school resembles me because I’m an immigrant and an English language learner,” Kasmanian said. “I felt this was the first place like I’m home, and I’m happy to be here.”
This initiative was created as a result of the teacher shortage.
“You don’t have to be a teacher or go into the teaching field to be in the program,” says Kasmanian. “It’s a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys or wants to work with children.”
Students can become qualified first-aiders and babysitters by earning their Red Cross certification.
Despite Kasmanian’s 17 years of teaching, this program, which has three levels, was just created four years ago.
The previous year, Kasmanian’s class collaborated with Dr. Susan Wood and Melissa Samples from the Children’s Center at CalTech, as she recounts in her explanation of the class activities.
“My adult friends who are trying to grow their families realize they should have paid more attention because those are the classes you need to apply to the real world; they are the skills you are going to take with you,” Kasmanian said.
“I think everyone should take it!”
