OC Turkish School

Welcome To Orange County Turkish School

We are available anywhere in the USA with our 4-12 age group and adult distant and ın-person 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

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

Tugba Girgin Vanli is a graduate from Ankara University’s Department of Educational Sciences. She’s worked as a creative drama teacher in an elementary school after finishing the Fine Arts Education Master Program in Ankara. She’s also worked as a drama leader at the Contemporary Drama Association with different age groups of children and adults for schools and nonprofit organizations. After moving to the United States, she has worked as a preschool and pre-kindergarten teacher. When her three boys were younger, she volunteered as a teacher and education coordinator at Orange County Turkish School. She’s currently an active volunteer at the Bridge to Türkiye Fund Orange County, CA Giving Circle. She is very excited and looking forward to be part of the OCTS again!

Tuğba Vanlı

Türkçe Dersi

Hello, my name is Açalya Heeren. I was born in Türkiye in 1972 and graduated from Ankara University with a BA in American Culture and Literature. I taught English and Turkish in Japan before moving to the US in 2005. Although I obtained a TEFL teaching certificate, I chose to focus on raising my son full-time. During the early years of Orange County Turkish School, I pursued my teaching passion by volunteering as a Turkish teacher for adult classes for four years and offering one-on-one tutoring sessions. Beyond teaching, I have a second-degree black belt in taekwondo and have taught it for several years. I also enjoy lap swimming and crocheting. I am excited to meet my new students at OCTS.

Açalya Heeren

Adult Class

I am a dedicated Turkish Language Teacher with over 17 years of experience in teaching Turkish language and literature. I graduated from Selçuk University in 2006 and have since worked in respected schools in Turkey, helping students develop their Turkish language skills. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about helping students grow both personally and academically through engaging teaching methods. I have also led many successful TUBITAK-supported projects with my students, focusing on creativity and academic success. I believe reading plays an important role in a child’s development, and I always encourage my students to build strong reading habits. My teaching approach focuses on improving students’ reading, understanding, speaking, and writing skills in Turkish. Since moving to the United States in June 2024, I am excited to continue my journey, offering Turkish language education to new learners. I look forward to helping students discover the beauty of the Turkish language and achieve their learning goals.

Neşe Çora Uruk

Türkçe Dersi

Our Board Members

Arzu Dogan

PRESIDENT

...

VICE PRESIDENT

Aytekin Akkaya

TREASURER

Ayse Erkan

EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Contact Us

Picture Gallery

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.