Thinking About a Career in Teaching?

The San Mateo County Office of Education is committed to strengthening this pipeline and ensuring that all schools in San Mateo County have access to highly qualified educators for the benefit of all students. The California Department of Education has a wonderful resource called TEACH California, which curates helpful information for both aspiring and established educators. The website provides guidance on whether teaching might be a good fit, as well as information on the steps to getting a California teaching credential.

CSEA Education Services

The California School Employees Association offers many member benefits related to education, including grants, tuition assistance, and student loan reducer programs. Visit the CSEA Education Services website for more details.

Grants and Financial Aid

California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CCSETC)

If you are a classified school employee who would like to earn a teaching credential, the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (CCSETC) provides up to $4,800 per year to assist you with books and tuition while attending an institution of higher education. Eligible classified participants must have an Associate of Arts or Science degree or higher.  Participants must also commit to accomplish the following:

  • Graduate from an institution of higher education with a bachelor's degree.
  • Complete all of the requirements for obtaining a multiple subject, single subject, or an education specialist teaching credential.
  • Complete one school year of classroom instruction in a San Mateo County school district or the county office of education for each year that assistance for tuition and books are provided under the grant.

Review our September 13, 2023 presentation for a quick overview of the CCSETC grant processes and requirements.  Contact Mike Pappas, Director of Human Resources for more details at mpappas@smcoe.org or 650-802-5382.

Federal Grants

For students interested in becoming teachers, there are two main federal grant programs:

There are also a number of state-funded grants, such as the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. You can learn about others through the TEACH California website.

Loan Forgiveness

Established teachers are eligible to have some or all of their federal student debt repaid through three programs:

  • The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education as a way to encourage individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession. Applicants may be eligible for forgiveness of up to $17,500 on direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans or subsidized and unsubsidized federal Stafford loans.
  • The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program forgives the remaining balance on certain types of loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
  • Teachers with loans from the Federal Perkins Loan Program are also eligible for loan cancellation or deferment if they teach full time at a low-income school or in certain subject areas.

There may also be additional state- or city-sponsored loan forgiveness programs, which you can access through a searchable database compiled by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Tami Moore

Associate Superintendent, Human Resources

Email: tmoore@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5385

Fax: (650) 802-5500

Mike Pappas

Director, Human Resources

Email: mpappas@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5382