LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Office of Education announced that its Teach Lake County, or TLC, program has received full program approval from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

This is a key step in establishing itself as a fully independent and locally operated teacher preparation program.

“This progress marks a significant moment for our community and for the future of education in rural California,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg. “Teach Lake County is not just about credentials, it’s about building capacity from within and giving our educators a high-quality, affordable path to earn their credential.”

With full program approval, TLC is preparing for the next phase of development. The team is focused on refining and enriching the curriculum to better reflect the needs of local schools, especially in areas like trauma-informed teaching and rural education.

Originally launched in 2017, TLC has continued to develop as a local solution to the teacher shortage. TLC was created to provide an accessible, community-based credentialing option for individuals with bachelor’s degrees.

TLC was granted provisional program approval by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, or CTC, in 2021, allowing the program to operate independently while demonstrating that it meets rigorous state standards. 

Prior to that, candidates earned their credentials through partnerships with institutions such as the North Coast School of Education. 

With this full approval, the program’s structure and outcomes have now been formally validated by the state based on years of documented success.

“We’ve come a long way since launching our first cohort,” said Jamie Buckner-Bridges, director of Teach Lake County. “Moving toward full CTC approval means we’ll be able to expand what we offer, both in terms of program options and the communities we serve.”

Since launching its first cohort in 2017, nearly 70 educators have graduated from the Teach Lake County program and earned their credentials, contributing directly to addressing the teacher shortage in Lake County and beyond.

Equally important is TLC’s commitment to reaching deeper into underserved and rural communities throughout California. This includes areas that have long struggled with limited access to affordable, high-quality credentialing programs.

By continuing to grow and adapt, Teach Lake County remains dedicated to its mission: to train teachers who are rooted in their communities and prepared to meet the needs of every student.

For more information about the Teach Lake County program, visit www.lakecoe.org/TLC.