How to Become a Teacher in San Jose
The largest school district in San Jose is the San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD), which covers most public schools within the city and educates over 32,000 students across 41 schools.1 To become a public school teacher in this city, you will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree and teacher preparation program and apply for teaching certification through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Private and charter school requirements may vary, so be sure to review our private and charter schools in San Jose section for more information. Continue reading to learn more about careers as a teacher in San Jose.
San Jose Teacher Certification Requirements
To earn teaching certification in California, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree and have completed an approved teacher preparation program. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, review the approved teaching degree programs in California. Once you have completed California’s teacher certification requirements, you must apply for the appropriate credential from the CTC. More information about the traditional teacher certification pathway can be found on our California teacher certification page.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can complete an alternative teacher certification program that may take less time than another bachelor’s degree in teaching. Alternative programs in California typically take the form of a graduate certificate or master’s degree. See our California alternative teacher certification page for more information.
Teacher Certification Programs in San Jose
The following colleges and universities in the San Jose area offer teacher preparation programs for first-time teachers as well as programs that can lead to additional endorsements for certified teachers. You can also read more about certification programs in the state on our California education schools page.
- San Jose State University
- Santa Clara University
- Stanford University
- University of California-Santa Cruz
San Jose School District Steps for Becoming a Teacher
To become a teacher in San Jose, you will need to either follow the traditional pathway of completing your undergraduate education and then applying for teaching certification or, if you already have a bachelor’s degree, the alternative pathway that may allow you to earn your teaching credential while you work in a classroom. See our certification section for more information on the different pathways to certification. Once you are certified, you can apply for jobs in San Jose. The steps for each school district may vary. Below we have provided information for the largest district, the SJUSD, as an example of what to expect during the process.
Step 1: Search for jobs and submit online applications.
Jobs in the SJUSD are posted online. Most positions require you to complete an online application and submit a cover letter, resume, list of extracurricular involvement, official transcripts, two reference letters, and subject-specific test scores or credentials.
Step 2: Attend an interview.
The next step will likely be attending an interview with school officials. This will help you determine if the school and position match your teaching style and career goals. You may be asked to bring supplementary materials, prepare sample lesson plans, or even teach a lesson to peers at this stage.
Step 3: Complete the hiring process.
Each school typically has its own administrative requirements for you to complete before you can begin teaching, such as orientation sessions and paperwork. The hiring school should inform you of any requirements during the hiring process before your first day on the job.
Contact Information
San Jose Unified School District
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SanJoseUnified
X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/SanJoseUnified
855 Lenzen Ave
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 535-6000
https://www.sjusd.org/
How to Become a Substitute Teacher with the San Jose School District
Substitute teacher jobs are managed by each school district, so the following guidelines relate to SJUSD only. Contact each school district individually to find out specific requirements. To apply for the substitute teaching pool in SJUSD, apply to the online job pool posting. You will either need teaching certification issued by the California CTC or a 30-Day Substitute Teacher Permit issued by the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE). To obtain this license, you will need a bachelor’s degree, fingerprint clearance, and to meet the BSR, but this license will only allow you to work for 30 days in the same classroom during one school year. If you wish to work more than that and you are eligible for full teaching certification, that may be a better long-term option.
Private and Charter School Teacher Requirements in San Jose
Each private and charter school in San Jose posts and manages their own teaching job postings. By state law, charter school teachers must have a valid California teaching certificate. State certification might not be required in private schools but is often an asset in the hiring process. Some schools may also have requirements related to their religious or subject-specific teaching approaches, which will be highlighted during the hiring process. It is best to read job postings for these schools thoroughly to ensure you meet the requirements and to consider qualifying for teacher certification. Given its location in Silicon Valley, it is no surprise that you can find science- and technology-focused private and charter schools in San Jose. However, you can also find private and charter schools with general, religious, or arts-based curricula.
The Largest K-12 Schools in San Jose
To help you compare public, charter, and private schools in San Jose that may be hiring qualified teachers, we compiled the following table of the largest schools in the area.
| School | Type | Grade Level | # Students | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merritt Trace Elementary School | Public | K-5 | 913 | 28:1 |
| Orchard Elementary School | Public | K-8 | 874 | 21:1 |
| Booksin Elementary School | Public | K-5 | 869 | 27:1 |
| Willow Glen Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,267 | 23:1 |
| Bret Harte Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,227 | 22:1 |
| Castillero Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,167 | 22:1 |
| Leland High School | Public | 9-12 | 1,923 | 25:1 |
| Abraham Lincoln High School | Public | 9-12 | 1,879 | 23:1 |
| Willow Glen High School | Public | 9-12 | 1,698 | 22:1 |
| DCP Alum Rock High School | Charter | 6-12 | 677 | 27:1 |
| University Preparatory Academy Charter School | Charter | 7-12 | 656 | 20:1 |
| Bachrodt Charter Academy | Charter | K-5 | 655 | 24:1 |
| The Harker School | Private | PK-12 | 2,048 | 10:1 |
| Archbishop Mitty High School | Private | 9-12 | 1,735 | 17:1 |
| Bellarmine College Preparatory | Private | 9-12 | 1,643 | 14:1 |
See Table Notes and References at bottom of page.
San Jose Teacher Salary and Jobs Outlook
During the 2024-2025 school year, first-year teachers at the SJUSD started at a minimum annual salary of $70,000 for teachers, but those with advanced credentials or qualifications may receive higher salaries.1 Teachers also receive higher salaries commensurate with experience, along with stipends for duties considered beyond the scope of their contract.1
The table below compares various classroom teaching roles in San Francisco by the total number employed, median annual salary, 90th percentile annual salary, and 10-year job growth projections. Note SPED is an abbreviation for special education.
| Teacher type | # Employed2 | Median Annual Salary2 | 90th Percentile Annual Salary2 | Proj. Job Growth 2023-333 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | 550 | $93,770 | $127,260 | N.Av. |
| Elementary School Teachers | 7,200 | $99,410 | $130,050 | N.Av. |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, SPED | 480 | $89,950 | $128,280 | N.Av. |
| Middle School Teachers | 4,540 | $102,490 | $131,560 | N.Av. |
| Middle School Teachers, SPED | 580 | $99,230 | $128,610 | N.Av. |
| Secondary School Teachers | 3,780 | $102,460 | $163,730 | N.Av. |
| Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education | 80 | $114,630 | $143,280 | N.Av. |
| Secondary School Teachers, SPED | 450 | $96,430 | $159,400 | N.Av. |
San Jose Teacher Shortage Areas
The US Department of Education bases some student loan forgiveness programs on teacher shortage areas, meaning that your chances of qualifying for loan forgiveness may be stronger if you are teaching a subject formally identified as a shortage area. You may also qualify for other funding opportunities or a more competitive salary based on your endorsement(s). Note that shortage areas may change from year to year, so you should be sure to check with state education agencies, your selected education program, and your student loan providers about funding options. For the 2020-2021 school year, the following subject areas were recognized as shortage areas in California (statewide):4
- Bilingual Education
- Career Technical Education
- Mathematics
- Science
- Special Education
San Jose Teaching Jobs Boards
San Jose teaching jobs are posted online throughout the year as positions become available. Check school district websites for jobs and online job boards. Here are some job boards where you can find openings in many different school districts in the city. You can also check out our jobs board to search for teaching jobs in San Jose.
- Diocese of San Jose Openings
- EdJoin Regional Job Search
- Santa Clara County Office of Education: Job Opportunities
Additional Resources
- California Teaching Fellows Foundation (CTFF): Places students in undergraduate teaching programs in the Central Valley into classroom tutorial and after school programs working with K-12 students.
- Resource Area for Teaching: Bay Area (RAFT): Uses community support to provide resources for teachers, including school supplies.
- San Jose Teachers Association (SJTA): Provides union representation for San Jose educators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How do I become a substitute teacher in San Jose?
Answer: Substitute teachers in the SJUSD must have either a state-issued substitute teaching permit or a full teaching credential. Educators who qualify can apply online, and should hear back from the district within a few days.
Question: How much do San Jose substitute teachers make?
Answer: Substitute teachers with the SJUSD are paid by the day depending on the job category. The base rate for standard assignments for certificated substitute teachers ranges from $200 to $350 per day, depending on the type of assignment.1
Table Notes and References:
1. Niche, Largest Schools in San Jose: https://www.niche.com/k12/search/largest-schools/t/san-jose-santa-clara-ca/
References:
1. San Jose Unified School District: https://www.sjusd.org/join-our-team
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_41940.htm#25-0000
3. State of California Employment Development Department, Employment Projections: https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/data/employment-projections.html
4. US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas, California, 2020-2021: https://tsa.ed.gov/#/reports