Caring for the Eastern Sierra also means caring for the people who live in the Eastern Sierra. Which is why, as part of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, Friends of the Inyo’s column, “Amigos de Nuestras Tierras” (“Friends of Our Lands”), which publishes in local Spanish-language weekly, El Sol de la Sierra, looks to highlight news that can help improve the quality of life for members of our local Hispanic community.

In the latest two issue of El Sol, our column has been focusing on Cerro Coso Community College’s Associate Teacher Certificate of Achievement Program, a 12-unit course taught online, in Spanish, via Zoom, to students all over the Eastern Sierra as well as throughout our state. Being able to learn about child development in their native language is changing lives for Hispanic residents looking to improve their career choices or to simply learn how to take better care of special needs children. The certificate program meets the requirements for the Child Development Associate Teacher Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

This week’s column is the second of a two-part series. As an added bonus, the story will also be printed in English in next week’s issue of The Sierra Reader, thanks to the generous partnership of Noe Gadea, the publisher of both publications.

Read our front-page column in Spanish in El Sol de la Sierra by clicking here.

Enrollment in the course for the 2023-24 school year is still open, and in our article, we tell readers about Cerro Cosso College resources to help with enrollment, financial aid, and more, via Zoom, on June 28, July 6, and July 26. Happy reading, and if you like what you read, happy sharing–especially with your Spanish-speaking friends, neighbors and family members!