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LA MIRADA, CALIF. --- With California’s economic state, education is in a crisis due to the state’s inability to fully fund education and teachers are retiring at record numbers. There will be a teacher shortage if more teachers don’t begin to prepare now. ��ݮ��Ƶ is responding to the call for teachers with the , the School of Education.

“We are also at a crisis with regards to teachers. The so-called baby boomers are now retiring which is going to create a huge dearth in our school districts today and ultimately in our schools,” said Dr. Al Mijares, former Santa Ana Unified School District Superintendent and Vice President of the College Board. “Biola has an interest in producing teachers who care, who not only have the technical mastery of the subject, who are not only competent, understand pedagogy, and understand all the dimensions that impact curriculum, and impact the instructional process, but teachers who care for students.” Mijares is the guest speaker for the School of Education’s commissioning ceremony.

Biola, through the School of Education, has already seen many alums make an impact in education. On January 21, 2009 California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Glen Thomas (’68), secretary of education for California.  Biola alum Michael Long (’94, M.A. ’99) was selected as California Teacher of the Year For 2008. The list continues with Biola education alums that make a difference in students’ lives every day.

“Our graduates include numerous "Teacher of the Year" honorees, administrators, and leaders in schools, districts, and county and state offices across the country. Other alumni serve as university professors, editors, curriculum writers and researchers,” said June Hetzel, Dean of the School of Education, a former public and private teacher and administrator.

Join the Biola community next Monday, February 16, 2009 in a special dedication and commissioning ceremony for School of Education faculty, staff, students and alumni, featuring guest speaker Al Mijares, Vice President of the College Board, in Chase Gymnasium at 9:30 a.m. Following the dedication at 10:30 a.m., there will be an open house reception and special exhibit until 4 p.m. celebrating the history of the School of Education in Giumarra Courtyard and Biola’s Heritage Room.