 Melina Bezada is the adult child of two Mexican immigrants. Her mother had little education to help Melina succeed in a world where academic training leads to economic success. Melina was one of nine children with two children of her own. It was her goal to complete high school, gain employment with a local school district, and learn how to navigate the college and academic systems to be able to help her children succeed in school and have access to higher education.
Melina graduated from Apple Valley Adult School's diploma program and then volunteered and substituted on campus throughout the pandemic shutdown. She voluntarily helped the school remain open to provide a place for the US Census to operate and survey the cities of Apple Valley and Lucerne Valley, bringing more funding to these very poor and underrepresented areas. This January, she was finally able to attain full-time employment at the school where she earned an adult diploma, with her two children by her side. Ms. Bezada is also a graduate with an AA degree from Victor Valley College, where she has worked part-time as a student worker. Ms. Bezada was on the Dean's list at Victor Valley Community College for her academic achievement. Both of her own children are now in college and are on the Dean's list every semester, as she is able to help and support them. Even though she now works full-time for the Apple Valley program and is a college student, she volunteers annually to help our counselor canvass our local community for the point-in-time homeless count. Melina Bezada is also listed in CASAS national resource videos produced by Apple Valley Adult School during the pandemic to encourage students to take the Employment and Earnings survey. She continues to be a model to us all of what it means to succeed. Melina Bezada has presented at CAEP, SCOE, and TDLS. Her unique perspective as an adult education student makes her an outstanding advocate for those she serves.
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As an OTAN TIMAC graduate and IET leader, she empowers both students and colleagues to reach new heights, helping ESL learners launch into exciting career pathways. Her dynamic conference presentations light up audiences across California, showcasing her fun, communicative teaching style and passion for innovation. With her unstoppable enthusiasm, collaborative spirit, and infectious positivity, Maria doesn’t just support adult education, she makes it shine!
Professional learning opportunities for October 2025 Nakisha Woods – From Adult Ed Graduate to Lifelong AdvocateNakisha Woods is more than an educator; she is the embodiment of what adult education makes possible. A proud graduate of Charles A. Jones Career & Education Center in Sacramento, Nakisha earned both her Medical Administration Certificate and Associates Degree in Liberal Arts in the same educational system that she now serves. Today, Nakisha is an Academic Intervention Specialist at Twin Rivers Unified School District - Adult Education, helping adult learners navigate challenges, complete their educational goals, and access new opportunities just like she once did. Her work is rooted in deep empathy, lived experience, and an unwavering belief in the power of second chances.  As the Legislative Chair for CCAE Northern Section, Nakisha also lends her voice to statewide advocacy efforts, ensuring that the needs of adult learners and educators are heard at every level. Her leadership is grounded, authentic, and informed by her personal journey making her a trusted and influential advocate.
Nakisha is especially known for her work in supporting students pursuing their diplomas, creating safe and motivating spaces where learners feel seen, supported, and capable. Her presence in the classroom and in policy spaces reminds us that adult education isn’t just about academic outcomes, it’s about transformation, community uplift, and generational change. We are proud to celebrate Nakisha Woods, a product of adult education, a leader in the field, and a voice for learners across California. 
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. 
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. |
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March 2026
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