Attallah College’s partnership with Santa Ana school district creates special education teaching program

Through the new “Grow Your Own” program, teachers from the Santa Ana School Unified District (SAUSD) can receive a master’s degree and teaching credentials without any out-of-pocket costs. Photo by DANIEL PEARSON, staff photographer

Chapman University’s Attallah College of Educational Studies recently announced its new partnership with the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) to provide higher education to their employees.

Through this program, SAUSD employees are eligible to receive a master’s degree and a teaching credential through Chapman at no out-of-pocket expenses charged to employees. 

The program's goal is to give the opportunity for higher education in the school district to those interested in pursuing a career in teaching. This will allow many employees who started as classified employees, such as assistants or receptionists, to progress in their careers in a school district environment. 

The cost of the program is being covered through Chapman scholarships as well as grants from both the California Student Aid Commission and the California Department of Education. There are a limited number of enrollment slots available.

Trisha Sugita, the director of Chapman’s teacher education program and an assistant professor of special education, has played a large role in helping this program come to life and make it a reality for SAUSD employees.

“Through this pathway, classified employees for whom a master’s degree might have previously been financially out of reach can aspire to be a classroom teacher in special education,” Sugita wrote in an email to The Panther. “The combined Master of Arts in Special Education and Education Specialist Credential program aims to develop highly compassionate and collaborative professionals to work in inclusive communities.”