Janna Kasmanian teaches CTE, an educator pathway known as the Careers in Education Program at Hoover, guiding educators and students toward a brighter future. The Careers in Education program focuses on child development from infants to 18-year-olds, teaching thinking processes to people of many ages.
Kasmanian has been teaching this two-year pathway at Hoover for five years, collaborating with the Children’s Center at CalTech.
“I have learned that children are like a deep forest; the more you dig deeper and learn more about them, the more there is for you to learn,” said Anna Ter-Sahakyan (26′), in her final year of the course.
Kasmanian believed more educators and students needed to better understand child development, and because of the teacher shortage, one of the many reasons she opened the program at Hoover.
“I think the knowledge you learn is not just for teaching; you learn a lot of patience,” said Kasmanian. “You learn why children do what they do; you learn how important the first five years are, which many people don’t, and it’s harder for them.”
In the first year of the course, students earn a First Aid and Babysitting certificate, which they complete through an online class provided by the American Red Cross. The certificates allow students to have official babysitting jobs and use the information they have gathered to help others in need.
Students will also work one-on-one with two Caltech Children’s Center educators, learning how preschoolers behave and their thinking process.
In the second year, after gaining knowledge from the previous year, they have an internship at Grandview House Preschool, where they work with children ages 2 to 6 for the remainder of the year. They will learn and observe individual children and their behavior.
The two-year program includes a GGC entry-level child development class during the student’s spring semester of their last year, for which they will receive college credits.
Each year, just before spring break, the class participates in a field trip to the California Institute of Technology’s Children’s Center. This experience enables students to observe child development and educational practices while receiving insights from experienced educators.
Kasmanian explained, “It’s amazing to understand them and give them a better experience in those years instead of just handing them an iPad.”
This curriculum prepares students for the future, whether they work as teachers, social workers, psychologists, or special needs assistants.
Student Brianna Cruz (26′), in her last year of the program, says, “If I could help just one kid realize they’re not alone, maybe being a teacher would be worth it.”
The program used to last three years, but new rules have shortened it to two years. This change might make lessons feel rushed, which could affect the quality of teaching. Also, students now get only one year for their Preschool internship, while earlier students had two years. This could mean they are less prepared for their future jobs.
In the second year of the class, students use Real Care Infant Simulators, which allow robotic babies to mimic the actions of real ones. The babies are linked to the student and tracked to see how the caretaker treats the child.
“Even if you don’t want to work in a field related to children, you will be surrounded by children your whole life, whether your own or a Family member’s, even your friends,” said Leah Yavryan (26′).
Patience, attention, and resilience are learned throughout the program.
