María Lainez started her job search with a clear goal: to begin a career in early childhood education.
Determined to make it happen, she spent time walking up and down the streets of the Mission looking for opportunities and that’s when she found Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA).
María shares that from the moment she walked into MEDA, she found the support she had been searching for to get closer to her dream of becoming a teacher and serving her community. MEDA connected her to Early Care and Education, Realizing Employment And Creating Hope (ECE REACH), which helps local apprentices through an Early Childhood Education (ECE) workforce development pipeline. Officially launched in January 2023, ECE REACH is part of Felton’s Workforce Development and Success initiative, designed to support a new and incumbent ECE workforce. The program is a collaborative effort between Felton Institute, MEDA, Foothill College, and EDvance College.
From there María lined up multiple interviews at respected early childhood education programs, including Mission Neighborhood Center, Felton Institute, Wu Yee Children’s Services, and Mission Child Care Consortium (MCCC). While she received promising responses, there were also setbacks particularly due to the delay in receiving her CTC Associate Teacher Permit.
Even with the setbacks, María stayed focused. She kept preparing for interviews, updating her resume, and staying active in the job search. At the same time, she was also working hard to complete her GED, which she proudly achieved in March 2025.
That same month, María finally received her CTC Associate Teacher Permit. With that in hand, she picked her search back up and reconnected with MCCC, one of the programs she had previously interviewed with. This time, she was invited back—and she made it count.
In June 2025, María officially received and accepted an offer for the Associate Teacher role at MCCC. This opportunity not only marks a huge professional milestone but also sets the foundation for her continued growth.
Another one of María’s goals has been to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development through EDvance College. Now that her employment is secure, she meets the entry requirements and is eligible to enroll in classes. María is proudly celebrating multiple milestones, starting her new role at MCCC and officially enrolling in EDvance College.
María’s dedication is admirable, workforce coach Salma Flores stated “ It was a pleasure working with María Lainez as her workforce coach. Her journey is a powerful example of what dedication and self-investment can achieve. Throughout her time in the program, she consistently demonstrated perseverance and a proactive mindset.”
To hear more about María’s story in her own words, be sure to check out our video.
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