Michael M Keenen

When I finished my undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley, I immediately knew I wanted to go into education- preferably bi-lingual education. I subbed in San Francisco for about two years while I was beginning to take Education and Spanish classes. However, perhaps I was too young or felt too inexperienced to be a teacher. Or, perhaps my interest in film was too great to ignore. I made the move back to Los Angeles and immediately began working in film and television. After approximately 25 years, I decided it was time to change careers. I began subbing for Glendale Unified in 2020, the year the pandemic hit. After that year, I decided to get my credential in mild to moderate special education. I enrolled at Cal State Los Angeles. I am finishing up this semester and hope to be finished with my credential by the end of 2025. It has taken me twice as long to complete the program because I have been working part-time and going to school at the same time. I love teaching and working with students, especially in smaller groups. My ideal job would be to work as a resource specialist.

• Classified - 4 years

My husband and I started a business called Iron in 2005 where customers could design their own t-shirt. It was a success, until my husband died in 2007, and until the 2008 recession hit. He was the manager as I worked my television jobs and helped manage and print shirts with any spare time.

Even though we lost the store front in Atwater Village in L.A., I converted a spare room and still make and sell t-shirts for fun, gifts, and a small profit.

I started out with a passion to become a teacher. My film and TV career after 25 or so years left me burnt out and somewhat disgusted by the industry. I decided to make a fresh start. It's never too late, I say. I love working with kids and seeing them learn, grow and succeed.

I feel like I have gained a great deal of experience working as a sub for going on 4 years. I am very interested in the LAUTR program, because I don't know exactly how I will support myself and my family while doing student teaching. I am good with technology, having had an entire 25 years to learn some helpful skills, especially useful now that laptops have become essential in classrooms. Many teachers use i-Ready, Clever for assignments and testing, as well as using appropriate children's activities on the big screen.