SBPG
Our Teachers
Miss Candace
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.
Miss Kate
Kate Higgins is the Teacher/Director of Seal Beach Playgroup and brings over 14 years of experience teaching kindergarten to her role. She holds a Master's degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University and is deeply committed to early childhood development through intentional, play-based learning. Kate is passionate about equipping families with the tools and confidence to support their child's growth in a setting that nurtures the whole child - academically, socially, and emotionally - while fostering strong connections between children, families, and the greater community and preparing students for a successful transition into elementary school.
Kate has a special connection to the co-op community, as all three of her children attended Seal Beach Playgroup. A true adventurer at heart, she loves learning about the world around her and bringing that curiosity into her work with children and families. She grew up in the mountains of Big Bear and continues to enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle that includes paddle boarding, kayaking, yoga, and ice hockey. Kate has traveled extensively and explored every continent. She loves camping in National Parks with her family with the goal of visiting all of them across the United States. Kate is excited to support your family in building a joyful, connected, and enriching preschool experience.
"I will remember to be
kind.
I will remember to be
safe.
Because I have a
happy heart."
Copyright 2025, Seal Beach Playgroup. Miss Kate Photo by Austin James Visuals.