Fellow CSUB student Jacquelyn Ceron is also participating in the BCSD residency, called Education Specialist Teacher Residency — Bakersfield (ESTR-B). She has been working with around a dozen students from first through sixth grade at Williams Elementary.

“I thought it would be an interesting opportunity to expand my experience and be able to get into the teaching world already,” she said. “You can get a head start on what life as a [special education] teacher will be like. You see these teachers who love doing their jobs and have a passion for it, which is really inspiring.”

Ceron has primarily been working with students with autism, motor skills and speech challenges.

“I support my students the best way I can, whether that’s explaining things more or giving them more time to process concepts,” she said.

Going into the residency, Ceron expected she would be working more one-on-one with the students rather than helping them in their general ed classes. However, she feels them being in those classes with other students is beneficial.

“Most of my sped (special education) students do really well in the general ed classes and are able to be more independent,” she said. “It can be a bit of a faster pace, but you get to see the capacity they have to learn. It’s not an issue as long as they have any extra time and support they need.”

Ceron acknowledged that the residency can be difficult at times. Sometimes students will have behavioral issues and may lash out when they feel frustrated. However, she said it’s important to be patient with them and not take it personally.

Most of the time, Ceron said she has positive interactions with students and has enjoyed getting to know them over the past few months.

“The students get more comfortable with you as time goes on. They start feeling like you care for their academics and want to grow with you,” she said. “They get excited when they see you, and that makes you feel wanted.”

Ceron said it’s very rewarding to see students who struggle with some of the curriculum go on to be successful in the classroom. In one instance, she had a student who started the school year unable to multiply by twos. After receiving some help, she can do it easily now and even got 100% on a recent multiplication test.

“It feels good because it shows that me coming here and helping them is actually working and benefitting them,” she said. “I think it takes a special heart to be a sped teacher, and I feel like I have that.”

Matthew Kabel, a CSUB coordinator for the residency, said the ESTR-B program has surpassed his expectations.

“I have been impressed how, in such a short period, the Educational Specialist Residency Program has prepared future teachers to teach our most vulnerable populations of students with special needs,” he said. “It is a highly effective way to prepare teachers to work in classrooms.”