Faculty in ACTION in the Antelope Valley The CSUB teacher preparation programs were new to the Antelope Valley when Connie Petit solidified her career goal and it was this close-to-home availability that propelled her into action. Connie completed her BA, two teaching credentials, and MA at CSUB-AV. She is currently working on her doctorate. These experiences ultimately prepared her for the position she has today as a faculty member and coordinator of the Special Education Program.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Connie Petit is passionate about preparing future educators. She draws on her experiences as a classroom teacher to meet the demands in special education. Connie states that “When I was a student I was appreciative of information or strategies I could apply the next day and because of this, I endeavor to provide meaningful experiences and I work hard to stay current in the field.” When I look out at the faces of the students in special education credentialing classes, I see myself. I have sat in the very seats where they are sitting under the same circumstances as many – teaching by day and completing credential coursework in the evening. I had a decade long gap in my post secondary education allowing time to raise a family, just as many of the current students in our program in the Antelope Valley”. Some CSUB-Antelope Valley students are changing careers and still others have worked in the classroom as instructional assistants and have discovered they possess a desire to teach; Connie shared each of these experiences as well.
The CSUB-AV Special Education Program has supplied our local districts with some amazing teachers. The bulletin board outside Connie Petit’s office proudly displays five newspaper articles from this past year where CSUB-AV special education candidates, past and present, were featured. With such wonderful reminders of the potential of our CSUBAV candidates, Connie Petit is proud to start her seventh year teaching at the CSUB-AV Center preparing future educators.
Yasmin Smith, a former intern candidate and current Level II and MA candidate in Special Education said "When I grow up I want to be Mrs. Petit. She is an inspiring teacher who supports her students, programs,, and community with passion. She motivates me to work hard at supporting academic success for Special Education programs everywhere.”