Lompoc Vision: Choice, Chance, Change

By: Christina Rizzo, special education teacher, Aya Education 

This is my third year as a traveling special education teacher, and the question everyone wants to know is: How exactly did you get into being a traveling teacher? 99% of the time, you hear about the many benefits of traveling such as the freedom and flexibility, exploring new communities and the ability to work in schools that need you the most. But what is often not discussed is exactly how to start.  
 

In July of 2024, I had a midlife “awakening” and reached a point in my life and teaching career where I wanted a change. I checked out a bunch of different travel teaching companies and decided to sign up with Aya Education since their website was easy to navigate, their reputation’s top notch and I knew I would work with a human being instead of some robot. I put in my basic contact information, but left a bunch of the fields blank, since I honestly didn’t know exactly what I was looking for and was unfamiliar with this growing trend.  
 

Alexis from Aya’s recruitment team reached out to me the following day. We must have had an hour-long phone conversation. We spoke about everything from my teaching experience, being an empty nester, bucket lists, hopes and dreams. She really got to know me first and foremost, as a person. Within a few days of our call, she presented me with different jobs in Alaska and California (at my request), and I inquired more about the community I’d be working in and the students I’d be helping. Alexis assured me I was in the driver’s seat for my life and career, and ultimately, it was my decision. She wasn’t pushy or aggressive, and wanted to make sure I didn’t make a big decision in haste. After reviewing different job opportunities for a few weeks and seeing how great the need was for special education teachers in California, I chose Lompoc. I packed my life into suitcases, got my son off to college and headed west. The team at Aya took care of everything and made what would have been a daunting experience, stress-free. Credentialing, licensing, housing, calendars and contacts. You name it, Alexis and Aya took care of it. All I needed to do was get to Lompoc.  
 

There’s a quote that says, “The three Cs in life are choice, chance and change. You must make the choice to take the chance if you want anything in life to change.” Looking back, I realize that taking that chance didn’t just lead me to Lompoc as a special education teacher; it opened the door to a whole new world that shaped me in so many ways I never expected. And Alexis and Aya Education have been with me every step of the way.  I’m looking forward to that day when Alexis visits Lompoc and stays at the renowned Lompoc Treehouse and we can meet for the first time in person! 

Read the story here.