Welcome to Orange County Turkish School

We are available anywhere in the USA with our 4-12 age group and adult distant learning educational classes.

Our Mission and Vision

In the light of the principles laid down by the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, it is our main goal to maintain the secular, democratic and modern Turkish education system in America.

Our Teachers

Do not miss the opportunity to learn Turkish and Turkish culture with our teachers who are adequately equipped to teach Turkish language and culture, secular thinking and modern thinking.

Support Us

The financial contributions and supports of the Turkish society and Turkish friends constitute the most important resource for our school in order to continue and develop our work.

Our Mission and Vision

Orange County Turkish School is an informal educational and cultural school developed by OCTAA as a service to the Turkish-American community in Orange County. The Orange County Turkish School is not intended to replace formal education. The School’s primary goals are;

* To teach Turkish-American children and adults, and any interested community members the Turkish language (at varying levels) emphasizing the whole range of communication skills, speaking, writing, reading and comprehension,

* To familiarize the students with the history of Turkish people and Turkey, its geography and people at a level equivalent to elementary/middle school education in Turkey,

* To teach the basics of Turkish culture, heritage, music, tradition, and customs.

 

The realization of these objectives depends on the development of a sound curriculum, appointment of qualified teachers, support of the community, and continuous evaluation of the Program by the OCTAA Educational Committee.

 

The School is intended to teach Turkish as a second language to improve the language skills of children with Turkish ancestry, adults, and interested community members. The Turkish School shall operate based on the educational principles of a democratic, secular, and progressive society as well as the guiding principles of the founder of Turkish Republic: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and modeled after the schools in Turkey. This School will be open to all OCTAA membership and public. OC Turkish School fosters a Turkish identity for children of ages 4-12 and adults based on the historical, cultural, and ethical experiences of the Turkish people from historical times to today. The School curriculum includes background in Turkish history, geography, culture, government, literature, music, language, theater, and holiday traditions.

Our Teachers

I am Ezgi Şanlı. I was born in Mersin, Turkey. I have been living in Izmir for 5 years. I graduated from 3 different Turkish universities on different fields. I received my first bachelor’s degree in English Translation and Interpretation from Hacettepe University in 2015. After that, I also studied Public Relations and Child Development & Education respectively. I attended a long-term Montessori Certificate Program in 2016, then I started to work as a Montessori Educator and English Language Teacher in a private Montessori Kindergarten. For five years, I have been working in this private Montessori Kindergarten on education of 3-6-year-old children and I have been acting as the principal since October 2020. I am exceptionally excited to be a part of the Orange Country Turkish School.
Ezgi Şanlı
Ages 4-7 (Caterpillars and Butterflies)
My name is Banu ACAR KATER. After my childhood years in Izmir, I completed my high school and university education in Ankara. I graduated from Ankara University in 1999 and was appointed a classroom teacher. I worked in Mersin for the first five years of my professional life. I have been working in Izmir since 2004. The sparkle in the children's eyes and their sincere love are my greatest happiness. It is also very meaningful and flattering for me to be together with the students of Orange Country Turkish School, to make little hearts feel the love of Ataturk, to teach them our beautiful Turkish and to make them know Turkey.
Banu Acar Kater
Ages 8-12 (Seagulls and Doves)
I was born in 1978, in Balıkesir. I graduated from Balıkesir Sırrı Yırcalı Anatolian High School in 1996. I completed my BA studies in Hacettepe University, Department of Translation and Interpretation in 2000 and got my Pedagogical Formation Training Certificate the following year. I worked at public schools as an English teacher between 2001-2019 and as a vice-principal for a short period of time. I have been teaching Turkish in several language schools and giving private lessons since 2004. In 2017-2018 academic year, under the sponsorship of Fulbright Program, I taught Turkish at University of California,Santa Barbara. I got my MA degree in Sakarya University, Department of Teaching Turkish as a Foreign Language in 2019.
Özge Kurnaz​
Adult Class
She was born in Izmir and continued her education and professional life here. After graduating from Physics Teaching in 2000, she worked as a Science Teacher between 2000-2018 and as an administrator between 2018-2020 at various private schools. Taking all kinds of training opportunities on continuous learning and creativity is among the professional development goals. In line with this goal, he participated in many national and international competitions and organizations and training, and also worked as an educator in many teachers symposiums. She has degrees in Scientific Project competitions organized by TUBITAK, National Education and Science Olympics. With his coaching team of US-based Destination Imagination Creativity Organizations, taking the championship in different years Turkey many times in America; Science on Stage by choosing one of the delegate teachers at the International Science Festival in the UK, Turkey has proudly represented. She moved to Orange County, California, USA with her husband and two children in December 2020. Since April 2021, she has been working as an Education Coordinator and Science Teacher at Orange County Turkish School.
Özden Soykök Acar
Science Class
Gülendam Ece Hürmeydan was born in Istanbul. She completed her Bachelor of Arts specializing in Art Teacher Education in Turkey. After she moved to the United States in 2011, she has studied with several artists. She is working with acrylic and oil usually. She likes to paint realistic. Gülendam Ece thrives as an oil and acrylic painter, exhibiting her works in California and Turkey. Also, she works in private collections in the United States and Turkey. Gülendam Ece currently lives and works out of her home studio in Los Angeles, CA
Gülendam Ece Hürmeydan
Art Class
I was born in Antalya in 1983.  I completed my elementary, middle, and high school education in Antalya.  In 2007, I graduated from Süleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Education, Department of Music Teaching.  I worked as a music teacher from kindergarten to high school in various private schools in Antalya and Ankara between 2007-2018.  In addition, I gave piano, guitar, choir, singing, and ORFF lessons in some music schools and I did guitar lessons with adults for many years in the Antalya Municipality Asmek institution.  I moved to the US state of North Carolina in 2018 and I still continue my profession as a private tutor here.
Bahar Kırçiçek Yılmaz
Music Class

Our Board Members

Elif Bulut

PRESIDENT

Duygu Ercan Laguna

VICE PRESIDENT

Özcan Tan

TREASURER

Talita Tahincioğlu

EDUCATION CHAIR

Özden Soykök Acar

EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Contact Us

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    Support Us

    Our school, whose main goal is to teach the Turkish language and Turkish culture, can reach its activities to a wider audience with your support.

     

    The donations you make to our school will be the most important funding source for teaching the Turkish language and culture, our traditions and customs, our holidays and values, both to Americans and Turkish-Americans. That's why your donations are greatly appreciated.

     

    You can donate any amount to our school by clicking the "Donate" button below. Your donations are tax-deductible.