Kindergarten Teacher Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

A Kindergarten Teacher plays a crucial role in elementary education. Their primary responsibility is to prepare young children for the years of education that lie ahead. To achieve this, they provide basic lessons in reading, writing, math, and social skills. They also help students develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and confidence. It is important for a Kindergarten Teacher to create a safe and nurturing learning environment where children feel comfortable to explore and express themselves. The ability to communicate effectively with young children, their parents, and other educators is essential.

Before becoming a Kindergarten Teacher, one might have roles such as a Preschool Teacher, Child Care Worker, or a Teacher's Assistant. These positions provide valuable experience in child development and classroom management. In terms of education and certifications, a Kindergarten Teacher typically requires a bachelor's degree in education or a related field. Additionally, they should have a state-issued certification or license. Some states may require Kindergarten Teachers to earn a master's degree after receiving their teaching certification. A successful Kindergarten Teacher will also have strong skills in patience, creativity, and the ability to engage young children in learning.

1-9 of 9 Jobs

Child Development Specialist I .75 FTE (6 hrs per day 10 months) Lynhaven (2025-26 School Year)

  • Campbell, CA (18 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 hour ago
  • Campbell, CA (18 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 hour ago

A minimum of 12 Core Early Childhood Education (ECE) semester units completed with a grade of C or better required....

or Early Childhood Education Specialist Credential - 24 early childhood education or child development semester units - Two years of full-time professional teaching experience in a preschool classroom...

Elementary Teacher - TK (2025-2026 school year)

  • Campbell, CA (18 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 7 days ago
  • Campbell, CA (18 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 7 days ago

Develops lesson plans and instructional materials to provide planned experiences in order to motivate students and best utilize instructional time....

Kindergarten Teacher

  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 22 days ago
  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 22 days ago

Kindergarten Teacher Union School District OSTER SCHOOL - SAN JOSE, California This job is also posted in Union School District Job Details Job ID:5087829 Application Deadline:Aug 13, 2025 4:30 PM (...

Kindergarten Teacher (Temporary)

  • Santa Cruz, CA
  • 28 days ago
  • Santa Cruz, CA
  • 28 days ago

Welcome to Live Oak School District! Our mission is to empower, inspire and ensure equitable opportunities for every student to thrive. We teach and nurture the whole child in an academically...

40% Kindergarten Teacher - DLI (Scott Lane Elementary School) (2025-2026 School Year)

  • Santa Clara, CA (22 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 30+ days ago
  • Santa Clara, CA (22 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 30+ days ago

Santa Clara Unified School District serves over 15,000 TK-12 students, in addition to students in Preschool through Adult School....

Transitional Kindergarten Teacher - 2025-2026

  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 45+ days ago
  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 45+ days ago

childhood education / child development units, and graduate degrees if applicable....

Transitional Kindergarten Teacher Eligibility Pool

  • Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 30+ days ago
  • Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 30+ days ago

childhood education, or childhood development, or both Professional experience in a classroom setting with preschool age children comparable to the 24 units of education described in bullet 1 Child...

Kindergarten Classroom Teacher - Twin Lakes Christian School - Aptos CA

  • Aptos, CA (15 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 60+ days ago
  • Aptos, CA (15 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 60+ days ago

Job Summary Job Summary Twin Lakes Christian School Mission, Values, and Goals Twin Lakes is a non-denominational K-8 Christian School committed to offering an excellent educational experience in...

Demographic Data for Santa Cruz, CA

Moving to Santa Cruz, CA? Find some basic demographic data about Santa Cruz, CA below.


Local
National
101,449
2,927
Medium/Lg

Kindergarten Teacher Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireElementaryTeachers curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
AI for Teachers
AI for Teachers is an activity focused, self-paced course designed to help educators prepare themselves and their students for a future which is becoming increasingly automated Technology and...
Becoming a Teacher
This course is for anyone thinking about becoming a teacher it will help you to decide if teaching is for you, give you a sense of what teaching is really like and help you to start writing your...
Global Education for Teachers
Teachers today must prepare their students for a global future. Young people will need to learn how to positively engage with people from all over the world and build the skills and knowledge to...

Salary for Kindergarten Teacher Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireElementaryTeachers research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Kindergarten Teacher positions.



Highest Education Level

Kindergarten Teachers in Santa Cruz, CA offer the following education background
Bachelor's Degree
47.0%
Master's Degree
41.6%
Associate's Degree
3.5%
Vocational Degree or Certification
2.6%
High School or GED
2.5%
Doctorate Degree
2.4%
Some College
0.4%
Some High School
0.1%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Kindergarten Teachers in Santa Cruz, CA
Less than 1 year
43.1%
None
32.5%
1-2 years
11.6%
8-10 years
5.1%
4-6 years
4.4%
2-4 years
1.6%
6-8 years
1.6%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



Kindergarten Teacher Related Career Advice Articles

elementary school teacher in front of classroom
What’s Making or Breaking Your Elementary School Teacher Salary?

Despite working longer-than-average hours (50+ per week), 70% of teachers feel their salaries are unfairly low. The cliché, of course, is that teachers choose their careers “for the kids, not the money,” but the reality is that they need financial security no matter how much they care about their students.

Read article »
Teacher teaching remotely
How to Become a Remote Teacher

Learn how to become a remote teacher with information on the qualifications, requirements, and resources you need to start your career as a remote educator.

Read article »
Learn the 6 best nationwide teacher job search tips
6 Must-Read Tips for Your Out-of-State or Nationwide Teacher Job Search

Running a nationwide teacher job search doesn’t have to be hard. Learn the keys to job hunting out of state and how to find and apply for teaching jobs.

Read article »