Our Vision
Our Mission
Our Values
Create an educational ecosystem for all educators to inspire and engage each student toward academic success, where educators have access to professional advancement regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances to ensure that they are highly effective and stay passionate.
Address the specific needs of our educational community by becoming a teaching hub to foster a continuous professional growth culture and ensure equitable and impactful education for all students by empowering and cultivating a diverse education workforce.
Respect, celebrate, and prioritize:
Equity and Inclusion
Educator Well-Being
Continuous Professional Growth
Collaboration and Collegiality
Student-Centered Focus
Educator Recruitment Fair 2025
Join us at the Educator Recruitment Fair on March 1, 2025
- LOCATION: Santa Cruz COE 400 Encinal Street
- TIME: from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- MEET & GREET: Santa Cruz COE Hiring Managers, Santa Cruz Districts, UMass Global, SJSU, and CSUMB.
Current Pathway Program
New Special Education Satellite Program
Program Highlights
- Class Location: Santa Cruz COE, 400 Encinal Street, Santa Cruz
- Start Date: Summer Session begins on June 2, 2025
- Format: Hybrid classes held locally for convenience
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (Santa Cruz COE) and San José State University (SJSU) are excited to announce a new Satellite Program offering a Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential with an option to add a Master of Arts in Special Education—right here in Santa Cruz!
- On the Horizon: The Santa Cruz COE has applied for a Special Education Teacher Residency Grant. If awarded, this grant will enhance program resources and offer an immersive residency experience and stipends to the participating residents and mentors. Pending award decisions on or before March 21, 2025.
- Info Sessions: Join us via Zoom from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM:
- February 25, 2025
- March 18, 2025
- Admissions Application Deadline: April 1, 2025
Summer Academy for High School Students
⚡️ Become a Future Educator: Your Summer Adventure Starts Here! ⚡️
This summer, explore your passion for education at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education’s Future Educators Academy! From June 11th to July 8th, 2025, you’ll get hands-on experience, connect with experts, and discover what it takes to be a leader in education. Plus, you’ll earn while you learn! Are you ready to inspire the next generation?
Grant Program
EDUCATION INCENTIVE AWARD FOR 2024-2025 ONLY! Presentation slide from 11/13/24 Information Night
If you need Live Scan Fingerprints to get a Certificate of Clearance to enroll in a Teacher Credential Program, we can cover that cost for any of our Santa Cruz Classified Employee Grant participants. Please contact InJin Jun if you have any questions.
Santa Cruz Classified Employee Grant (SCCEG)
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is offering a scholarship to classified employees of Santa Cruz county school districts to pursue a teaching career. Applications now being accepted.
We have 7 Institute of Higher Education (IHE) partners for you to choose from. This program will cover the cost of tuition, books, and fees.
- CSU, East Bay – CalState Apply
- CSU, Monterey Bay – CalState Apply
- San Jose State University – CalState Apply
- Santa Clara COE, EPP – Admissions Page
- UC, Santa Cruz – Admissions Page
- UMass Global – Admissions Page
- University of La Verne – Admissions Pag
SC/SVNTP Induction Program is partnering with Contra Costa COE to offer RICA Test Preparation for those who need to take the RICA exams. All events are virtual and after school.
Guidance for Current Credential Students with RICA Renewal Requirement
The Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) is being retired and will no longer be offered after June 30, 2025. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing has adopted a transition plan for the RICA Written Examination and RICA Video Performance Assessment pursuant to the Commission’s work to implement Senate Bill 488 (Chap. 678, Stats. 2021).
For RICA testing information and preparation materials, visit the California Educator Credentialing Assessments website.
If you are a SCCEG participant, the grant will cover the RICA test prep fees. Please contact InJin Jun for more information.
Foundations of Teaching
Step Into Teaching with Education 80 & 80L!
Thinking about a career in education? Try Education 80 & 80L at Cabrillo College to gain the perfect blend of theory and hands-on experience to help you explore the teaching profession.
📖 Education 80 – Foundations of Teaching
This eye-opening course challenges traditional ideas about education. You’ll dive into educational history, philosophy, learning theories, curriculum, and diversity to explore how education shapes today’s multicultural and multilingual classrooms.
🏫 Education 80L – Service Learning in Action
Take your learning beyond the textbook with 56 hours of real-world classroom experience! Work alongside mentor teachers, gain practical teaching skills, and develop a deeper understanding of student learning and engagement.
✨ What You’ll Gain from Both Courses:
✅ Deep insight into teaching theories & best practices 📚
✅ Hands-on experience in K-12 classrooms 🏫
✅ Strategies for adapting to diverse learning styles ✨
✅ Understanding of curriculum bias & education policy 🏛️
✅ Explore English learner programs & CTE education 🌍
✅ Professional and ethical teaching skills 🎓
If you’re passionate about making a difference in education, these courses will help you explore, learn, and grow as a future educator! 🍏💡
📩 If you have any questions, please reach out to Ashley Selck, Education Department Associate Faculty, at asselck@cabrillo.edu.
From Passion to Profession
Welcome to our “From Passion to Profession” series, where we share inspiring stories of educators about their unique journeys, the challenges they faced, and the triumphs they experienced along the way. Join us as we celebrate the commitment and creativity of these remarkable individuals shaping the future, one student at a time.
Playlist
teacher credentialing
Playlist
Credential Flowchart
Resource & Teaching Hub
Roadmap to Teaching in California. Learn about the different pathways to becoming a credentialed teacher.
California needs teachers! Use this site to make a career plan, get guidance for finding a program, and find financial aid!
California Department of Education assists future educators with resources for financial support and advocacy.
Find information on jobs available in the Santa Cruz County School System and throughout the county.
Find career, training, and job search resources just for you. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The US Department of Education is working with state and local leaders to elevate the teaching profession.
Leading educational excellence by supporting school leadership and providing professional development.
SC/SVNTP assists and supports new teachers through two years of Induction to clear their teaching credentials.
Resources for developing systemic Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills and cultivating self-care and resilience.
TEACH FOR THE BAY #5: Vision 2030 Centering Teachers
Here is the recording from the session, Starting Point, hosted by the Santa Cruz COE in partnership with Cabrillo College. Informative advice on how to get started in your Education Career from our expert panelists:
- CTC Career Counselor Team
- Cabrillo College Faculty
- Santa Cruz COE HR Credential Analyst
- CSUMB Admissions Office
- CDE, Teacher Recruitment
Latest News
Warm Hearts and Bright Futures
ed.PATH February Newsletter! The next information session for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (Santa Cruz COE) and San José State University (SJSU) Satellite
Exciting News for 2025!
ed.PATH January Newsletter! The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (Santa Cruz COE) and San José State University (SJSU) are excited to announce a new
Launch Your Teaching Career with the New Special Education Satellite Program
Launch your teaching career with this incredible opportunity to balance your education, work, and lifestyle. Ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of
Find Out More
Become a Teacher
Become a substitute teacher
If you have a question or would like to set up an appointment to find out more about the various educator pathways, please email InJin Jun or sign up for a newsletter of trending updates on ed.PATH.
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