James Oveson

B.A. in Criminology, Law & Society, 1993
School of Education

December 1, 2013

“I believe that students need quality instructors, a connection to the school, and a program that helps students strive for and meet long-term goals.”

James Oveson’s connection to the University of California at Irvine began in the fall of 1988 when he enrolled as a Social Ecology major with a Criminal Justice emphasis.

“It was here that I was taught to think critically and challenged to determine how to positively impact my community. During my field study experience as a volunteer Activities Director at Corona Del Mar High School, I found my true calling: education.”

After receiving his teaching credential from Chapman University in 1995 and his master’s degree from the California State University at San Bernardino, Mr. Oveson immediately began teaching at Century High School in Santa Ana.

“And I have continued to teach the Social Sciences at Century for the past 18 years.”

Mr. Oveson’s experience in the field of education is vast. He has served as the Peer Court Advisor, Mock Trial Coach, G.A.T.E. Program Director, and boys’ Varsity Soccer coach and helped to establish a pilot program that led to the establishment of the Higher Education Centers in the Santa Ana Unified School District, which link high school students and higher education. He also has been a part-time instructor at Chapman University where he taught secondary methods courses supporting student teachers.

The various educational roles Mr. Oveson has filled have led to his deeper understanding of what helps students be successful in high school.

I believe that students need quality instructors, a connection to the school, and a program that helps students strive for and meet long-term goals.

In keeping with his beliefs about student needs, he helped his professional mentor write a grant in 2000 to fund and develop a California Partnership Academy.

His efforts led to the Teacher Education Academy at Century High School (T.E.A.C.H. Academy), which has been in existence since 2001. Developed around the school-within-a-school concept, T.E.A.C.H. is a 10th to 12th grade academy linking school to careers. Students aspiring to be teachers are given a unique high school experience in which they develop leadership skills, prepare for college, and serve as future teachers within their community. T.E.A.C.H. Academy students earn over 150 hours of community service tutoring elementary school students at local elementary schools and community tutoring centers.

My students also read to children at the local Social Services Agency in Santa Ana and teach a variety of lessons (from Science to Physical Education) to elementary school-aged students during and after school.

While Mr. Oveson is the Project Director for T.E.A.C.H., he is quick to speak of the many talented colleagues who teach within the academy and the “amazing” Advisory Board that supports the students and the academy in powerful ways.

Members of my Advisory Board serve as college mentors to academy graduates, help secure college scholarships for graduates (including 4 year full-tuition scholarships to Concordia University in Irvine), and provide rich learning experiences for the T.E.A.C.H. students as they matriculate through the academy.

When asked to quantify the academy’s success, Mr. Oveson speaks of the former academy students who are now serving as teachers looking to impact today’s students in the way that they once were impacted as a member of the Teacher Education Academy at Century High.

For more information on the T.E.A.C.H. Academy, please visit: http://www.sausd.us//Domain/525

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