Candace Iwami received her BA in child development and holds a multiple-subject teaching credential from UC Santa Barbara. After teaching fifth grade in the San Marino Unified School district, she pressed pause on her career to spend time at home with her three children, Brett, Dani and Kalei. 

 

As she prepared for her return to the classroom, Candace rediscovered the roots of learning. She explored creativity and art in early childhood and researched how children learn during their early years. It inspired her to develop a program that encourages a child’s sense of wonder and to guide them toward becoming life-long learners. 

 

After six years at Seal Beach Playgroup as a co-op parent, Candace Iwami returned to SBPG in the role of teacher/director in 2010. She starts and ends each child's school day with a hug and does everything with joy and love.

 

Miss Candace lives in Seal Beach with her husband Kirk. When she is not teaching, you may find her in the waves with her friends, on the phone laughing, dancing and FaceTiming her children,  watching a sunset, following  her daughter's basketball games, and looking forward to summer when her whole family can be together.