LANCASTER, Calif. — The Antelope Valley Teacher Induction Program celebrated both graduating teachers and first-year participants at its 10th annual Colloquium on May 7, marking a pivotal moment for educators transitioning from training to classroom leadership. AVTI, accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, offers a two-year, job-embedded program guiding beginning teachers through the credential-clearing process with personalized mentorship and professional development. 

 “Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions in the world—but like any craft, it takes time to refine.” said Loy Dakwa, Induction and Professional Development Coordinator. “New educators must enter the classroom with strong content knowledge and a willingness to adapt to diverse learning environments, collaborate with colleagues, and navigate the expectations of school communities. While mastering the art of teaching doesn’t happen overnight, supportive mentoring and ongoing collaboration play a critical role in helping educators grow into confident, effective professionals committed to student success.”

Dakwa, who was honored during the ceremony for her leadership, spoke about the impact of the program on this year’s graduates.

“This year’s cohort of educators completing the AVTI program are leaving with more than just experience—they’re carrying forward a deep passion for students and a readiness to embrace innovative instructional strategies,” Dakwa said. “Through meaningful mentorship and the opportunity to observe seasoned educators, these new teachers have gained valuable insight into effective teaching practices.”

The program employs four full-time mentors, each supporting between 18 and 28 beginning teachers, alongside approximately 12 part-time mentors who work with up to three novice educators while maintaining their own teaching positions.

Mentors were also celebrated for their hard work with symbols and words of affirmation that represented their character. David Rivas, who has served as a mentor for nine years, specializes in supporting new teachers earning single-subject credentials in English and history.

“As mentors, we primarily support new teachers with on-the-job professional development, observation, and just-in-time support,” Rivas said. “Over the years I have mentored teachers who have become educational leaders as instructional partners, department chairs, academy coordinators, mentors themselves, and even administrators.”

The annual Colloquium serves dual purposes: celebrating program completion while showcasing first-year participants’ professional growth. “I hope that I’ve positively affected their impact on student achievement and helped them learn the ropes and thrive in their careers as teachers,” he said. “I have had a handful of teachers that had difficulties in the job, but we were able to coach them into effective educators.”

Below are the list of New Inductees for the year 2025

• AMY AKKUS | SOCIAL SCIENCE, HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL
• ETHAN ARENSON | MATH, HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL
• JEFFERY BELL | SCIENCE, QUARTZ HILL HIGH SCHOOL
• CRISELDA BERNAS | SPECIAL EDUCATION, EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
• DAGOBERTO BOBADILLA | SOCIAL SCIENCE, LITTLEROCK HIGH SCHOOL
• KARLA CARRANZA | ART, ANTELOPE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
• OLA DAGUNDURO | PHYSICAL EDUCATION, LANCASTER HIGH SCHOOL
• PAMELA DUNNER | SPECIAL EDUCATION, LANCASTER HIGH SCHOOL
• CINDY FLETCHER | PHYSICAL EDUCATION, KNIGHT PREP
• NICOLE GAURINO | ENGLISH, SOAR PREP
• VIANNEY HERNANDEZ | HEALTH, KNIGHT HIGH SCHOOL
• LILA HVEGHOLM | SPECIAL EDUCATION, HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL
• HERIBERTO JUAREGUI | WORLD LANGUAGE, HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL
• MAEVE KOONCE | MATH, EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
• CHRIS LAMBERT | ENGLISH, LANCASTER HIGH SCHOOL
• BRITTNY MAHAN | SPECIAL EDUCATION, EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
• HAYDEE MARTINEZ | PHYSICAL EDUCATION, EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
• MATTHEW PEAKE | MATH, PALMDALE HIGH SCHOOL
• KELLY PEREZ-PAGAZA | MATH. HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL
• NOEL PINEDA | SOCIAL SCIENCE, LANCASTER HIGH SCHOOL
• JACQUEYLYN REED | SPECIAL EDUCATION, QUARTZ HILL HIGH SCHOOL
• MATTHEW RODRIGUEZ | MATH, SOAR PREP
• BRETT SMITHLEY | MATH, LANCASTER HIGH SCHOOL
• AVALON SOOKDEO | ENGLISH, HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL
• FREDRICK WOLF | SPECIAL EDUCATION, LITTLEROCK HIGH SCHOOL
• JEROME WRIGHT | PHYSICAL EDUCATION, LITTLEROCK HIGH SCHOOL