Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1527898
University and attracted the attention of school districts here in California and around the world. "We have now laid the ground- work so other alternative schools can do this too." SBTA has been instrumental in the program's success since before it was even in existence. Pastuschek-Cox says being involved in the local helped her connect with fellow members to build interest in the program and lean into relationships with district admin to get it approved and supported . Anderson added that SBTA awards scholarships to help some of these students pursue their dreams after graduation. "I felt like I was ahead of the game with SBTA supporting a brand-new teacher like me," Magallanes says. "I didn't have to go through it alone. It's meaning ful for my union to have my back." Teaching the Skills to Pay the Bills "e largest number of tradespeople were Baby Boomers, who are on their way to retirement, taking their skills with them. So, we need to figure out how to pass those on," says Josh O'Neal, a CTE teacher and member of Hemet Teachers Association (HTA). "ere's a gap that's growing — everyone went off to college to be philosophers but when their water heater goes down, they're out of luck." O'Neal had been working in the trades for more than 20 years when he first got a taste of teaching in 2019. A former fram- ing carpenter, mechanics helper and heavy diesel mechanic, O'Neal earned his third associate's degree and a bachelor's in social psychology that year, when he also began teaching night classes at Barstow Community College after finishing his shift at an open pit mine in Boron. "And I just fell in love," O'Neal says. "From that point, I tried to figure out how to teach full time." O'Neal began teaching at Barstow High School, where he had attended, taking a big pay cut to get into education and looking to make a difference. In 2020, he started working at Riverside County Office of Education (RC O E), t eaching welding online ("it was a trip!"), which included how to read blueprints and welding sym- bols. When school resumed physically, O'Neal realized he was teaching at a con- tinuation school, which made him love the work even more. " We're the continuation high school where kids come who are credit-deficient and the perception is that this is where the bad kids go. But here, we all work together to support the students from all angles and get to the bottom of what might be their barriers," he says. "I'm helping these stu- dents graduate with a skill set that will help them make more money out of high school than their parents ever made." O' Neal's impact on students attract ed th e att ention of Hemet Unified School District administrators, who hired him to continue his popular career tech offerings — working with HTA to increase the salary schedule to match RCOE's and be able to bring O'Neal to their district. O'Neal says it feels good to know the program and his students have the support of his local union. Hemet Teachers Association's Josh O'Neal, left, with one of his students. Josh O'Neal's welding classroom. "Our special education students need hands-on learning in math and the sciences that could lead to a career." —Barbara Pastuschek-Cox, San Bernardino Teachers Association 16 cta.org Feature