California needs you! With recent transitions to the Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) legislation, California is in need of over 15,000 TK teachers this 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 PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction or Multiple Subject Credential, complete 24 units in Early Childhood Education, and be placed in a regional TK worksite in Merced County, Los Angeles County, Alum Rock Unified or Oakland Unified.
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
Credential Options
PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential
- You want to educate preschool through grade 3
- You want to teach the same group of students throughout the day
- You want to teach all subject areas
Note: Financial Aid will offset fees for most.
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
- Eligible to teach children grade 6 and below
- Teach all subject areas to the same group of students throughout the day
- Requires 24 units of Early Childhood Education
Note: Financial Aid will offset fees for most.
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
- PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Subject Matter Competency Requirement OR Multiple Subject Teaching Subject Matter Competency Requirement
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Certificate of Clearance from the CTC
- Complete 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
