In response to an anticipated increase in demand for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teachers, this summer, College of the Canyons, (COC) is set to launch an accelerated Early Childhood Education (ECE) TK credential pathway for currently credentialed teachers that will be or may be teaching TK.

Each of the pathway’s nine courses are set to be offered in a five-week, fully online format, running from summer 2022 through spring 2023, according to COC officials.

“This one-time pathway was created due to a request from the local school districts,” said Jennifer Paris, a faculty member in COCS early childhood education department. “The state is implementing Universal Transitional Kindergarten, resulting in a huge increase in demand for TK teachers.”

In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 130, which is expected to gradually expand TK over a four-year period—starting in 2022—until all four-year-old children can attend a high-quality TK program before entering kindergarten, according to officials.

Beginning Aug. 1, 2023, credentialed teachers are set to also need 24 ECE units to teach TK per the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

The 24-unit TK pathway at COC is expected to focus on development, equity, observation, curriculum, special education and families.

The first course of the pathway is scheduled to run from July 11 to Aug. 13 with Professor Lisa Prince, according to COC officials.

“This pathway is using existing courses that were carefully chosen and sequenced to get interested teachers 24 units by the end of spring 2023,” Paris said.

For more information about the accelerated TK pathway at COC, email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (661) 362-3508.

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