Paso Robles Joint Unified School District

Paso Robles Joint Unified School District is proud to recognize 34 Paso Robles High School seniors who were honored for completing the Cuesta College Dual Enrollment Child Development and Education Pathway.

The inaugural recognition ceremony, held May 11 at Cuesta College’s North County Campus, celebrated students who have completed a rigorous Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway designed to prepare future educators through college coursework, classroom experience and early childhood education training.

Paso Robles students celebrated alongside 17 students from Atascadero High School, setting aside long-standing athletic rivalries to recognize a shared professional achievement and a common goal: serving the next generation of students in California classrooms.

The evening featured a keynote address from former Bearcat and PRJUSD alumna Ceci Martinez, who completed the same education pathway as a high school student and now serves as a first-grade teacher at Virginia Peterson Elementary School. Martinez currently hosts high school interns from the district’s Bearkitten Preschool program in her classroom, helping provide hands-on experience for aspiring educators.

“The students light up when they see the high schoolers step into the classroom,” Martinez shared during her remarks. She reflected on the impact the internship experience had on her own journey into education, and the opportunities it now creates for current students considering careers in teaching and child development.

Through the PRHS Education Pathway, students earn transferable college credit through Cuesta College’s College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) program while gaining practical experience in educational settings. Graduates are now eligible to apply for the Assistant Teacher Permit through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

"This is an exciting moment for our CTE Education pathway," said Megan Cannon, PRJUSD College and Career Coordinator.  "Seeing 34 of our seniors ready to enter the workforce or continue their education with a professional permit in hand is a testament to the strength of our community partnerships and the dedication of our students and staff.”

Students completing the pathway are also eligible to participate in the SLO Partners Ticket to Teach Apprenticeship Program, which provides additional coursework, mentorship and classroom experience for students pursuing careers in education.

The ceremony marked the first formal celebration of the long-running partnership between local schools and higher education agencies, highlighting a growing effort to develop and support future educators from within the local community.

About Paso Robles Joint Unified School District
Paso Robles Joint Unified School District serves more than 6,400 students across northern San Luis Obispo County. Guided by its core values of integrity, accountability, collaboration, innovation, compassion, and belonging, PRJUSD is committed to providing a safe, supportive environment where every student feels valued, empowered, and prepared to thrive.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Paso Robles Joint Unified School District
Melissa Godsey
Public Information Officer