The LACOE Beginning Teacher Programs offers a variety  of credential programs and authorizations for both General Education and Special Education teachers.

In collaboration with 80 local public school districts and over 100 charter schools and private schools, LACOE BTP provides a District Intern Program and Teacher Induction Program for eligible teacher candidates and classroom teachers seeking full California certification.

We also support teachers by offering a Added Authorization programs in Autism, Early Childhood Special Education, and Bridge.


Teacher standing in front of the chalk board
Are you looking for a new career or have you always wanted to be a teacher?

Start your teaching career in the Pre-Service Program. You will learn everything there is to know about initial steps to become a credential teacher in California.

Teacher reading a book to an elementary class
Are you seeking to obtain a Preliminary teaching credential?

Join our Intern Program and learn while you work as an Intern. Candidates must be "Teacher of Record" to participate in
this program.

Have you already obtained your preliminary credential and need to obtain your Clear?

Clear your preliminary credential through LACOEs two-year job-embedded program, while also receiving ongoing mentor support and resources.

Signs pointing to different directions with cloud background
Browse additional services provided such as, transcript request, earning an added authorization, or meeting the Level I additional requirements. 
Two people reviewing legislative forms
 Learn about AB 130 and SB 153 
(additional options to satisfy CSET requirements)

 

Eight children standing outside at park
PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Specialist Instruction Credential

 



RESOURCES

Grievance Policy

Right to Appeal
The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) has initiated and implemented procedures for grievances/appeals by candidates with the intent of assuring fairness and objectivity. The procedures are not designed to incorporate all of the due process safeguards that our courts of law require. The purpose is to provide a system that will represent “fairness and the absence of arbitrariness”.

Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Education Preparation Unit seeks to resolve all candidate issues in a timely and effective manner.
 
Informal Process: Program-Level
A candidate with a complaint has recourse through complaint procedures beginning at the program level. In most cases grievances/appeals can be resolved through the process of expressing the concern with the individual program director. Basic steps in the Program-Level Process include:

  • Begin addressing the matter with the program director in which the issue originated.​
  • If the issue is not resolved at the program level, then the grievance/appeal advances to the unit level.

Formal Process: Unit-Level
If still unresolved after following the appropriate Program-Level grievance/appeal procedures, the candidate may choose to have the issue reviewed at the Unit-Level. In this case the following procedures apply:

  1. Candidate submits a formal grievance/appeal to program director/coordinator using the Grievance/Appeal Process form on the LACOE website or may be accessed using the following link: Formal Appeal/Grievance Form
  2. The Division Director (or designee) will convene a panel comprised of other LACOE unit credential program directors/coordinators (or designee) to review grievance/appeal documents. The panel may, as necessary call upon the candidate, qualified faculty and/or coach/mentor, or program staff from said program in which the grievance/appeal generated for clarification and/or input regarding the complaint. A panel decision must be made by majority vote.
  3. The panel shall issue a written decision within 30 calendar days to the candidate and Program Director/Coordinator and shall include a statement summarizing the panel’s final disposition of the grievance/appeal. 

The panel’s decision shall be final, and all remedies shall be considered to have been exhausted. The panel’s written decision shall be placed in the candidate’s file.


CONNECT WITH US

Beginning Teacher Programs
​12830 Columbia Way
Downey, CA 90242
​(562) 922-7413

Rami Christophi
Director
rami_christophi@lacoe.edu
562-922-7413

Toni Perdomo
District Intern Candidate Coordinator
perdomo_toni@lacoe.edu
562-803-8473

AnnMarie Smith
District Intern Instructor, Supervisor, & PK-3 Coordinator
smith_annmarie@lacoe.edu
562-940-1868

Kevin Koga
Induction Coordinator, ​Year 1 Candidates
​koga_kevin@lacoe.edu
562-922-6557

Marisa Caple
Induction Coordinator, Year 2 and ECO Candidates
caple_marisa@lacoe.edu
​562-803-8393

Nicole Peters
Induction Coordinator, Mentors
peters_nicole@lacoe.edu
562-922-6511

Amy O'Neal, Ed.D
Coordinator, Preservice/
District Intern
Curriculum Development and PK-3
562-940-1617
oneal_amy@lacoe.edu

Sarah Medler, Ed.D,
Coordinator
​CCSETCP and Accreditation
562-922-6587
medler_sarah@lacoe.edu

Jasmine Jones
Division Secretary ​
562-922-7413
jones_jasmine@lacoe.edu

Rosa Olivar
Senior Typist Clerk 
562-401-5466
olivar_rosa@lacoe.edu

Catalina Zamora
Intermediate Typist Clerk 
562-803-8469
zamora_catalina@lacoe.edu

Karen Valle
Senior Credentials Specialist 
562-922-6046
valle_karen@lacoe.edu

George Ramirez 
Accounting Technician
562-803-8424
ramirez_george@lacoe.edu

Beginning Teacher Programs Main Office 
LACOE Education Center West (ECW)

Beginning Teacher Programs Main Office is located in the Columbia Way building. When visiting, please park and enter through the back of the building near the preschool playground. Photo ID is required when checking in at security.

12830 Columbia Way
Downey, CA 90242
​562-922-7413
​​Fax: 562-803-8510

Pre-Service & District Intern classes are often held at our other locations. Please refer to your course schedule to ensure you are going to the proper building. 

LACOE Education Center (EC)

9300 Imperial Highway
​Downey, CA 90242

LACOE Education Center East (ECE)

9525 Imperial Highway
​Downey, CA 90242