Welcome!

We know that the right teacher makes all the difference! For more than two decades, alternative certification programs in California have been increasing the pool of talented, committed and diverse teachers in our public schools. And yet today many are unaware of the contributions these programs have made to the state’s public education system.

Formerly the California Association of Alternative Certification (CAAC), the California Teacher Corps will take an active role in improving public education by effectively and proactively addressing teacher preparation issues facing California and by recruiting the best and the brightest professionals to teach in the public schools that need them the most.

Over the last six years, 50,000 teachers have participated in alternative certification programs and have accepted teaching positions in our public schools. These individuals teach all grade levels and subjects in both rural and urban settings. They are passionate, highly qualified and committed to staying in the teaching profession. There are countless more talented professionals who possess this same desire to serve our children, but who are unaware that alternative certification is a viable route to teaching.

Today, California is facing historic challenges to education. Over the next decade, teacher retirement rates will increase exponentially and California will experience a critical shortage of high-quality teachers, especially in the fields of math, science and special education.

The California Teacher Corps is poised to meet these challenges by recruiting and training outstanding second-career teachers, and others committed to working in hard-to-staff schools, who bring with them valuable professional experience and who want to remain in the teaching profession. By 2020, the California Teacher Corps has set the goal of placing 100,000 highly-qualified teachers in California communities.

Thank you for visiting us and for taking an interest in the California Teacher Corps. If you are a professional thinking about pursuing a teaching career or an individual looking for more information on alternative certification, please browse our website to find interesting facts about our programs, locations near you, and the personal stories of some of our teachers.

Sincerely,

Catherine Kearney, Ed.D
President, California Teacher Corps