A refugee from Russia, Karina began working at a very young age. She started at swap meets and later took on a role in her family’s clothing business. While she was devoted to supporting her family, her schooling fell behind.
On the first day of 11th grade, Karina learned she was short on credits and would have to repeat the year. Hoping to catch up, she enrolled in the ROP (Regional Occupational Program) and joined the II Lab to make up credits. Despite her efforts, she realized she could not catch up while continuing to balance work. Faced with that reality, Karina made the difficult decision to drop out of high school. Still, Karina never lost sight of the importance of education. Determined to earn her diploma, she sought out adult education opportunities and enrolled in the ACCT (Accelerated College and Career Transition) Dropout Recovery Program, which allowed students to complete schoolwork independently while holding a job. Karina excelled in the program and proudly graduated just one month after her peers. Today, Karina serves as the Assistant Principal of Operations for the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Division of Adult and Career Education. She has earned multiple credentials, including a Master’s in Education with a concentration in School Counseling and a Master’s in English. Most importantly, she continues to give back to the very same adult education programs that made her own success possible.
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May Lahham’s connection to adult education began in 1985, when, as a high school student, she enrolled in a Regional Occupational Center/Program (ROC/P). Through concurrent enrollment in the cosmetology program at West Valley Occupational Center (WVOC), she earned both her high school diploma and her cosmetology license—before turning 18.
After graduation, she continued her journey in adult education by taking evening secretarial classes at WVOC while working full-time as a cosmetologist. In 1987, she was hired at West Valley as a lab technician in the cosmetology department and soon transitioned into a secretary position. Encouraged by the cosmetology teachers she worked alongside, she pursued and proudly earned a teaching credential in 1990. That encouragement changed the trajectory of her life. She began teaching part-time for LAUSD’s ROC/P as well as at other public and private beauty schools. By 1997, when her mentor teachers retired, she stepped into a full-time role teaching cosmetology to concurrent high school students. Over the years, she became department chairperson, and today, she serves as a CTE Program Advisor at West Valley Occupational Center—supporting the very programs and educators that shaped her own career. Adult education has been the cornerstone of Ms. Lahham’s professional journey, allowing her to grow from student to classified staff, to certificated teacher, and now, 40 years later, to a leadership role within the same community that first inspired her. Because of the early head start that adult education provided, she was able to raise three children, buy a home, and build a fulfilling life. For Ms. Lahham, adult education didn’t just provide a career—it gave her purpose, stability, and the opportunity to give back. It remains the foundation of both her professional success and personal fulfillment. 
In 2019, Concepcion Cardoza came to the United States and, just two weeks after arriving in California, enrolled in ESL classes at West Valley Occupational Center. While improving her English, Concepcion also pursued the Medical Office Assistant program. During her Level 4 ESL class, her teacher, Ms. Karen, asked about her work eligibility and connected her with Ms. Rosana Kruszewski. That connection led to her first opportunity to work at the school as a Student Aid.
When adult schools faced closures, Concepcion lost that position. However, when WVOC reopened, she returned as a volunteer. After three months, she inquired about official job opportunities. Although the Student Aid position was no longer available, she was encouraged to take the Instructional Aid assessment. Concepcion passed and began working as an Instructional Aid. Following another round of school closures, Concepcion was transferred to a charter school, where she worked for a year and a half. During that time, she also supported WVOC as Student Body. Eventually, an opportunity arose to apply for an Office Technician role. With the support and encouragement of her coworkers, Concepcion took the assessment, passed, and began teaching in the Counseling Office. Surrounded by colleagues and administrators who recognized her potential and consistently encouraged her growth, Concepcion decided to pursue teaching more formally. She earned her preliminary CTE credential and began teaching her first class: Maintenance Supervisor: Computer Essential Practices. For two years, she balanced working full-time while teaching part-time. Later, Concepcion transitioned into an IT Support Technician role. After a year and a half in that position, she was offered the opportunity to become a full-time teacher. Today, Concepcion Cardoza teaches Office Technician, Introduction to IT Support, and Computer Essentials. Her journey has been shaped by the guidance, encouragement, and belief of her administrators and coworkers. Adult education opened the door for both personal and professional growth, and Concepcion is profoundly grateful to be part of a community that changes lives—just as it changed hers. 
Catherine Eredia, known to her students as Mrs. E, has been a Registered Nurse for over 40 years. Nursing has been both her career and her calling.
Her journey in healthcare began at West Valley Occupational Center, where she started as a CNA student. Just weeks before graduating, she received an unexpected opportunity to join the LVN program at Los Angeles Trade Technical College as an alternate on the waitlist. Encouraged by her CNA instructor to seize the chance, she embraced the opportunity--a decision that ultimately shaped the course of her entire career. Over the years, Mrs. Eredia has dedicated herself to nursing, patient care, and education, serving in various roles and mentoring countless students. Her journey has now come full circle as she returns to West Valley Occupational Center as the Program Director for Nursing Services. It is both an honor and a joy for her to give back to the place where her nursing path first began and to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.  Juan Figueroa’s journey into education and HVAC began in 1992, when he first took a class in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. While the class gave him a foundation, it wasn’t enough to carve out a clear career path. For years,
he struggled to gain traction in the field—until 2003, when he discovered West Valley Occupational Center.
He enrolled in the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program, which turned out to be exactly what he needed to launch his career as an HVAC technician. By January 2005, he had completed the two-year program and proudly earned his certificate. Around the same time, he was offered the opportunity to serve as a teaching assistant—a role he hadn’t planned for but was honored to accept. At first, Mr. Figueroa did not see himself advancing in education. He was working full time as an air conditioning technician, and teaching wasn’t part of his plan. But one day, he mentioned the idea of becoming a teacher to one of the instructors he assisted. That instructor immediately turned to a colleague and said, “Mr. Figueroa wants to become a teacher.” The response was simple and encouraging: “We will help him.” The paid TA position lasted until 2008, when the economic downturn forced schools to make cuts, and his role was eliminated. Despite this setback, Mr. Figueroa’s determination never wavered. The instructors, still committed to supporting him, welcomed him back as a volunteer. For five more years he gave his time freely, continuing to build his skills and strengthen his resolve. In 2013, Mr. Figueroa applied for his teaching credentials, and by 2014, he had returned to West Valley Occupational Center—this time as a teacher. He has been teaching here ever since, dedicating himself to helping students the way his teachers once helped him. Mr. Figueroa is proud of his accomplishments, but he credits much of his success to the people who stood beside him. His wife, Sabina, provided unwavering support every step of the way, while his teachers, Frank Mirth and Rick Killman, inspired him and encouraged him to pursue this career path. To them, and to the entire WVOC community, he offers his deepest gratitude: “Thank you for changing my life.” As champions for Adult Education, we know that collaboration, innovation, and continuous professional growth are essential to building stronger programs and creating brighter futures for our learners. That’s why CALPRO is thrilled to share two incredible opportunities in collaboration with the California Department of Education that are designed to empower educators, administrators, and practitioners across the state. Integrated Education and Training (IET) Implementation Clinic – Fall 2025Launching this fall, CALPRO’s IET Implementation Clinic is a powerful professional learning series designed for agency teams who want to strengthen their Integrated Education and Training programs. Each team is made up of an IET program administrator, an ESL instructor, and a CTE instructor. Together, participants will dive into real challenges and build solutions with the support of statewide colleagues and CALPRO’s expert facilitators. The clinic includes:
🔗 Apply here: IET Clinic Application This is an extraordinary opportunity to learn, collaborate, and innovate with colleagues across California while addressing the challenges of IET implementation head-on. Professional Learning Communities (PLC) Institute 2025–2026CALPRO is also opening applications for its 2025–2026 Professional Learning Communities (PLC) Institute—a transformative program that equips school teams with the tools to embed ongoing professional development directly into the school year. Highlights include:
🔗 Apply here: PLC Institute Application We encourage all eligible colleagues to apply, share these opportunities with your networks, and take part in shaping the future of Adult Education in California.
Together, we are building the pathways our learners deserve! Honoring Luvia Lopez, Office Technician, Los Angeles USD Harbor Occupational Center With unwavering dedication and a heart for service, Luvia Lopez embodies the very best of Harbor Occupational Center. Always reliable and proactive, she goes far beyond her assigned duties, ensuring the office runs smoothly and the school environment is safe, clean, and welcoming.
Luvia is a true problem-solver. By closely reviewing enrollment and persistence data, she works hand-in-hand with teachers, advisors, and administrators to address attendance and enrollment challenges before they become barriers. Her thoughtful approach keeps students supported and on track. Her attention to detail is unmatched when it comes to maintaining precise records and double-checking forms and reports. She ensures that every task is handled with care and accuracy. Passionate about helping others succeed, Luvia makes sure every student has access to vital resources and information about our ESL programs. Her kindness fosters a warm, collaborative community where students and staff alike feel valued and supported. Beyond the office, Luvia champions adult education throughout the community. She volunteers at job fairs, organizes literacy and job readiness events, and builds partnerships with local schools and organizations to connect more learners with opportunities. Her advocacy helps amplify the importance of adult education where it’s needed most. In everything she does, Luvia leads with heart, dedication, and excellence. She inspires students, colleagues, and the entire community — and with her recent completion of her own bachelor’s degree, she proves that lifelong learning changes lives. |
AuthorJames Hayes Archives
February 2026
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