In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Ed Hidalgo, the Chief Innovation and Engagement Officer at the Cajon Valley Union School District. As a part of his position, Ed's main responsibility is to help other districts integrate career development frameworks similar to the one pioneered by the Cajon Valley Union School District (CVUSD). CVUSD created its framework based on a theory of change and action that focused on career-focused learning beginning in early grades instead of only focusing on older students.

CVUSD recognized the importance of exposing young children to career paths. Based on all the interactions that children have with adults who have jobs, integrating a career development curriculum will give kids the ability to communicate and connect with adults while also learning more about themselves and the people they could become. Kids who have their experiences are more confident in themselves and more aware of the opportunities they have to succeed.

Ed was inspired by his own struggles with learning at school. These struggles led him to believe that he was destined to be unsuccessful. These struggles that he had as a child and young adult have a huge impact on the work he does now. Data shows that kids in the career development program are more engaged in school and confident about themselves.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Ed Hidalgo. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:

• Why career development is important, the benefits that it has in young children
• How career development, self-confidence, and literacy are connected
• What does CVUSD's career development education model look like
• Ed's own struggles with education and how that fueled him for his work now
• The answer to the rapid-fire questions

An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Ed, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.

Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.

To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.