UC Irvine Extension hosts free webinar insights

WHAT: Recently, President Obama has dedicated significant time and energy to the state of education in the U.S. From proposing new standards for teachers to advocating for more resources to be allocated to the profession, he has shown his commitment to education. Therefore, although it may not seem like the right time to become a teacher – it just might be the best time.

For those interested in learning more about becoming a K-12 teacher, University of California, Irvine Extension is hosting a free Webinar, “Become A K-12 Teacher: Professional Preparation at UCI.” The complimentary online event will offer expert advice to assess if a teaching profession is appropriate for certain individuals and the steps necessary to complete California’s requirements.

WHY: California’s Department of Education projects that the demand for K-12 teachers will continue to grow as almost a third of “baby boomer” teachers retire within the next 10 years. By 2010, there will be a need for 3.35 million teachers in the U.S.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 15 from 4 to 5 p.m. PST

WHO: The Webinar will be lead by UC Irvine’s Karol Gottfredson. As the education department’s intern coordinator, Gottfredson has worked closely with K-12 educators. She will provide insight into the qualities expected of a teacher, what teacher preparation programs are available and why UC Irvineis a top resource for those seeking to enter the profession.

ATTENDANCE: To register for the free Webinar and obtain the enrollment password, or for more information, contact Vivian Chan at 714-573-0899 or via e-mail at vivian@echomediapr.com.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE EXTENSION: As the continuing education arm of UCI, UC Irvine Extension is dedicated to providing a university-level learning experience for students, offering thousands of exciting courses and programs to local, regional, and global constituencies via online curriculum as well as through on campus classes. UC Irvine Extension offers a rich array of academic and community programs to support a diverse audience, from a wide selection of academic programs to numerous campus activities. For more information, please visit www.extension.uci.edu.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE: The University of California, Irvine is a top-ranked university dedicated to research, scholarship and community service. Founded in 1965, UCI is among the fastest-growing University of California campuses, with more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students and about 1,400 faculty members. The second-largest employer in dynamic Orange County, UCI contributes an annual economic impact of $3.3 billion. For more UCI news, visit www.today.uci.edu.