Education Mission

The mission of the Bakersfield College Education department is to prepare students to become professionals and serve in California schools. The Elementary Teacher Education program is designed to engage students to think critically and reflectively, communicate effectively, and demonstrate competencies and skills in order to engage productively in their professional communities. This program provides a sturdy bridge connecting educational theory and research-based pedagogy. In addition, the Education department provides academic development courses, tutoring, and support labs to assist students in coursework across disciplines. The department also houses TECM B52, which is the math course required for multiple local degrees predominately in CTE areas.

We are committed to:

• Equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college.
• Promote diversity and inclusion within all college practices.
• Develop skills in gathering information to help students make informed decisions throughout their life.
• Educate and train students to become effective teachers.
• Provide opportunities for students to network and engage with like-minded peers and professionals.
• Motivate students to successfully transfer to a university in the preparation of obtaining a teaching credential.

Extend the Classroom

Students are referred to Extend the Classroom (ETC) through weekly classroom assessments. Then, Peer Mentors empower students to learn the weekly material as well as provide holistic support. An educational advisor helps track and follow-up on students entering and exiting the ETC program. 

What is ETC? A free place to get help on homework, learn from peer mentors, earn study points, and practice math!

Who can use ETC? Students currently enrolled in TECM B52 Basic Arithmetic & Pre-Algebra

Where is ETC? Bakersfield College Main Campus CSS Building, Room 136 between Student Success Lab & Room 135

When is ETC open? Monday to Thursday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Appointments not necessary!

Summer Bridge

Summer Bridge to BC 2021 is an intensive week-long orientation program for all incoming Freshmen. During this interactive course, students will engage with faculty one-on-one and in group settings, virtually tour the BC campus, and participate in interactive activities that orient them to the Freshmen experience. In this way, students learn about the academic and student services resources that Bakersfield College offers and experiences them firsthand.

Students will hear from faculty and support services staff how to best access and utilize campus resources during engaging sessions and demystify questions that ALL new students have BEFORE their first semester begins. On a more practical level, the day will focus on introducing skills necessary for college success, including in-person and online success strategies, effective communication, time-management, organization tools, FREE academic and personal support services, and other critical skills! This isn’t the “same old information” students learned in high school. The topics covered at Summer Bridge to BC are designed and proven to ensure students are successful during their FIRST semester in college and beyond.

If you are interested in becoming a Student Success Peer Mentor, visit the Student Employment page for more information.

For more information and to find all of the Summer Bridge dates, visit the Summer Bridge to BC page.

Tutoring Center

Free tutoring is available to all currently enrolled Bakersfield College students in Tutoring Centers located on the Panorama and Delano campuses and BC SouthWest Center.

More information is available on the Tutoring Center section of the website.