San Luis Obispo, CA – June 2025 – The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, in partnership with Ticket 2 Teach, First 5 SLO and local preschool centers, is launching a new three-day exploration event called Curiosity 2 Career, giving participants an inside look at what it’s really like to work in early childhood education.

Why This Matters Now

Preschools across San Luis Obispo County are facing urgent staffing shortages, just as more families return to work and enroll young children in care. At the same time, many locals are rethinking their careers or looking to re-enter the workforce. Curiosity 2 Career connects those dots, offering a low-barrier, hands-on preview that can lead directly into a credentialed, high-impact profession.

Designed for high school graduates, career changers, and parents returning to work, the experience takes place from August 4 to 6 and offers hands-on access to multiple preschool environments. Participants will spend time observing both play-based and curriculum-aligned classrooms, guided by seasoned educators and capped with a hosted lunch and group debrief.

“For many people, the idea of working with young children sounds appealing, but they’ve never had a chance to actually see it in action,” said Jennifer Blackburn, Coordinator of the Ticket 2 Teach program. “This program lets them explore the field with zero pressure, just curiosity.”

Participants will spend two to three hours at two different preschool sites, experiencing both indoor and outdoor learning styles and engaging with students and staff in authentic settings. The program starts with a two-hour orientation on Monday, followed by preschool site visits on Tuesday and Wednesday. A one-hour lunch and Q&A connection session will help participants reflect and ask questions.

Registration is just $25, which is refunded upon completion, plus each participant receives a $300 stipend for attending all three days. The experience is fully funded by a grant through First 5 SLO.

Those who find they’re interested in pursuing early childhood education can immediately enroll in Ticket 2 Teach, a comprehensive program also run by the County Office of Education. Ticket 2 Teach covers the cost of the community college classes needed for the Associate Teacher permit (12 specific units) as well as books, fees, and the state-required Early Childhood Education (ECE) permit application fee. Participants typically complete the program in 12–18 months and can begin taking courses as early as August 11 through partner colleges like Cuesta College or Allan Hancock.

In addition to preparing students for classroom roles, the program is a springboard to broader careers in psychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social work. Many students go on to pursue associate and bachelor’s degrees in education and related fields.

About Ticket 2 Teach