California needs you! With recent transitions to the Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) legislation, California is in need of over 15,000 TK teachers by the 2026 school year. As a TK teacher, you can affect the lives of children at an early age to establish their strong learning foundation for their lifetime.
We've established our Teacher Residency Program to jumpstart your career as a California TK Teacher. Earn a Multiple Subject Credential, complete 24 units in Early Childhood Education, and be placed in a regional TK worksite in the Central Valley, Los Angeles County, or the San Francisco Bay Area.
As a resident, you'll receive a compensation package of $24,087, plus a 24% reduction in tuition and fees, as well as any additional funding or financial aid (e.g., Cal State Teacher Grant, Pell Grant, etc., based on eligibility). This is a one-year accelerated program, with our next cohort beginning Fall 2026.
Earn more as a TK teacher
On average, a TK teacher in California earns $84,700 annually. That is $42,100 more than Center-Based Teachers with bachelor's degrees and $49,500 more than FCC Providers with bachelor's degrees. Being an employed credentialed teacher also provides access to benefits through CalSTRS and CalPERS as a TK-12 teacher.
Source: Center for the Study of Child Care. Development cscce.berkeley.edu | Double or Nothing? Potential TK Wages for California's Early Educators by Anna Powell, Elena Montoya, Lea J.E. Austin and Yoonjeon Kim, June 1, 2022
Admissions Requirements
- Statement of Purpose
- Statement of Professional Dispositions
- Bachelor Degree in any field from an accredited college or university
- Basic Skills Requirement: possession of a bachelor's degree earned at a regionally accredited college or university
- Subject Matter Competency Requirement
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Certificate of Clearance from the CTC
- Completed preprogram Field Experience Verification Form
- Resume
- Please use this Letter of Recommendation Template for your recommenders to complete. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide recommenders with ample time to complete and return the letters by the application deadline.
- Located in or willing to relocate to either Merced County, Los Angeles County, or the San Francisco Bay Area
>> Be notified when Fall 2026 applications are open
Estimated Cost of Attendance
Residency Pathway
>> Contact us with your questions
