Reception lures potential teachers

By Wes Woods, On-Line Forty-Niner

Monday, October 12, 1998

Despite numerous fliers and free refreshments, Thursday's outdoor Fall Welcome Reception for prospective Cal State Long Beach teachers, counselors and graduate students had about 50 attendants.

Most people attending the College of Education's reception were welcoming faculty.

Those who did attend the Soroptomist House from 3 to 5 p.m. were treated to an afternoon of inspiring speeches and a wealth of information about a career in education.

"If you were to ask a person, 'Is there someone in your life who changed you because you met them?', nine out of 10 will say [the people who made a difference] were teachers," said CSULB President Robert C. Maxson to an avid outdoor audience. "I can't imagine not teaching. Teaching is the most noble of all professions." Long Beach State is the best [in education of its teachers]. This is a college that has strong leadership."

An instructor for 20 years, Huong Tran Nguyen recalled her San Diego State English teacher telling her to consider another profession.

"You will never be the caliber of your English-teaching colleagues," the teacher said.

Nguyen said she ended up graduating with credentials from SDSU.

"If your dream is teaching, don't let anyone or anything stop you," she said. "Students are reaching for the stars. It only takes one person to make a difference."

CSULB alumni and English instructor Erin Gruwell said she had 150 students who hated school at Wilson High School in Long Beach. All of the students, who were ethnically, academically and socio-economically diverse, graduated and are enrolled in college, she said.

Gruwell also said she was "gifted and blessed to have learned and networked at Long Beach State."

Nguyen and Gruwell are participating in CSULB's Distinguished Teacher-in-Residence program, in which K-12 instructors participate as faculty.

Tables were set up to assist students in finding teaching openings, joining the Student California Teachers Association and receiving information on special education classes at CSULB.

"The teachers [testimonials] blew me away," said Kelly Yarborough, sophomore liberal studies major, of the reception. "It helped show me where to look for jobs."