Join a collaborative community of aspiring educators in this affordable and supportive pathway to a California Teaching Credential!
Program Details
The
Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) Teacher Residency Program, in partnership with local colleges and universities, is a comprehensive
one-year program designed to transform teacher preparation. This program combines
exceptional academic training with hands-on clinical practice, personalized mentorship, and credential coursework to prepare the next generation of highly skilled and dedicated classroom teachers. Residents will earn a
California Preliminary Teaching Credential upon program completion.
The program emphasizes cultivating a diverse community of effective educators focused on meeting the unique needs of students in the local community. By investing in our future teachers, we are shaping the next generation of educators to make a lasting positive impact on our school communities.
Financial Assistance
Resident Teachers receive a
$25,000 stipend, which is distributed in installments throughout the duration of the program. In return, residents agree to
secure teaching employment in a public school in California for a minimum of four years upon obtaining their Preliminary Teaching Credential.
Current and former school classsified employees may also apply for the
SCCOE Classified School Employee Teacher Credential Grant Program and receive an additional
$4,000 scholarship. Residents may also qualify for additional financial assistance through county, state, and federal grant programs.Who are the Best Candidates for this Program?
This program is designed for individuals who are passionate about becoming credentialed teachers and who already have a bachelor’s degree. Strong candidates may include—but are not limited to—those currently working in roles such as:
- Substitute Teachers
- Paraprofessionals or Instructional Aides
- Behavioral Support Specialists
- After-School Program Coordinators
- Youth Tutors or Mentors
- Private school teachers
Program Benefits
"The residency format allows pre-service teachers to build deep relationships with students and see the full arc of a school year. They are prepared like no other to be effective teachers in their own classrooms!" - Mentor, Santa Clara County Teacher Residency Program
-
Practical Experience: Resident Teachers will work alongside a Mentor Teacher in the classroom for a minimum of 3 -4 full days per week. As the program progresses, residents will take on increasing responsibilities, ensuring they are well-prepared to teach in their own classrooms upon program completion.
-
Credential Classes: Residents take online coursework through one of our credentialing partners and engage in ongoing California Commission on Teaching Credentialing (CTC) assessments during the year.
-
Quality Mentorship: Teacher Residents benefit from ongoing mentoring and coaching from carefully selected Mentor Teachers who are eager to share their experience.
-
Job Application Coaching: As part of the Residency Program’s Service Commitment, residents are provided with extensive job application support, including resume review and mock interview preparation sessions.
-
Ongoing Professional Support: Teacher Residents receive ongoing communication and support from the Santa Clara County Residency Program beyond their one-year program. Residents are included in Professional Learning opportunities and coaching support for at least four years after program completion.
-
Diversity and Retention: Our residency attracts and develops a diverse teaching workforce and boasts higher retention rates for new teachers.
Download Flyer
Application Process
Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Residency Program, in partnership with Teacher’s College of San Joaquin (who facilitates Resident's credential classes), has a two-part application process. Acceptance from both TCSJ and SCCOE are required in order to participate in the Residency Program.
FOR THE SUMMER 2026 COHORT CANDIDATES:
Those interested in the program, please
carefully review all admission requirements below, in the application section, for both SCCOE and TCSJ.
More information will be posted when the application for Summer 2026 opens.
- Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (Elementary Education)
- Education Specialist: Mild to Moderate Support Needs
- Education Specialist: Extensive Support Needs
- Single Subject: Math
- Single Subject: Science
- Opportunity to pursue a Master of Education (MEd) degree for additional paid units
COURSEWORK
In addition to completing hands-on clinical practice and working with a Mentor Teacher, residents need to complete credential classes two evenings per week, online at
Teachers College of San Joaquin (TCSJ), our partner Institute for Higher Education (IHE) for the Teacher Residency Program.
RESIDENCY PLACEMENTS
Currently, we have partnerships with the following districts for placements during the residency program:
- Cambrian School District
- Cupertino Union School District
- Gilroy Unified School District
- Los Altos School District
- Los Gatos Union School District
- Morgan Hill Unified School District
- SCCOE Special Education
- Santa Clara Unified School District
-
Do I need to have teaching experience to apply for the Teacher Residency Program?
Teacher residency programs are designed for individuals who are new to teaching but passionate about entering the profession. Some candidates have worked with children previously as paraprofessionals, in after-school care programs, or as substitutes, but this is not required.
-
Why do I need to submit two applications?
Teacher Residency Programs are a partnership between an Institute of Higher Education - TCSJ and a Local Education Agency - SCCOE, in this case, each with its own unique admissions requirements. This is because they have different goals and requirements based on their role in the residency partnership and gather different information accordingly. It also helps protect candidate data and privacy during the application process, as we do not share data across organizations without candidate consent.
-
What if I don't pass the required exams before the application deadline (e.g., CSET)?
If you do not pass the required exams, such as the CSET, before the application deadline, you will still need to demonstrate subject matter competency before the start of the program in Summer 2025. Any admissions decisions are contingent on demonstrating subject matter competency before the program start date. The more CSET subtests you pass before the application deadline, the stronger your application will be, as it shows your readiness and commitment to meeting the program’s requirements.
-
Do I get to choose who my mentor teacher will be in the program?
No. SCCOE works with partner districts to match residents and mentors based on a variety of factors, including mentor availability, city of residence, employment status, and credential area. Residents are not encouraged to seek out their own mentors. If you are currently a classified staff member, SCCOE will work with your district to match you with a mentor who meets CTC Mentor Requirements and allows you to maintain your paraprofessional employment as much as possible. However, this is not guaranteed, and feasibility will vary by credential area.
-
What happens after I complete the teacher residency program?
After completing the teacher residency program, candidates are eligible for a
Preliminary Teaching Credential and can serve as a
teacher of record in a classroom. In California, Preliminary Teaching Credentials are
valid for 5 years. To earn a
Clear Teaching Credential, teachers must enroll in a two-year induction program while serving as a teacher of record. This is typically at no cost to the teacher and is facilitated by their district or county of employment. Upon successful completion of the induction, teachers can apply for a Clear Credential, which allows them to continue teaching in California without the need for further renewal requirements.
