Welcome To Orange County Turkish School
We are available anywhere in the USA with our 4-12 age group and adult distant and in-person learning educational classes.
Our Mission and Vision
The Orange County Turkish School is an informal educational and cultural program established by OCTAA to serve the Turkish-American community in Orange County. It complements formal education while promoting Turkish language and culture within a warm, inclusive environment.
Our primary goals are:
To teach the Turkish language at various levels to Turkish American children, adults, and all interested members of the community — with a focus on speaking, writing, reading, and comprehension.
To introduce students to the history, geography, and people of Turkey, at a level comparable to elementary and middle school education in Turkey.
To share and celebrate the rich traditions, music, customs, and heritage of Turkish culture.
Achieving these goals relies on a strong curriculum, qualified teachers, active community support, and ongoing evaluation by the OCTAA Education Committee.
The School strives to teach Turkish as a second language, helping children and adults of Turkish origin — as well as anyone interested — strengthen their communication skills and cultural connection. It operates in line with the educational principles of a democratic, secular, and progressive society, following the guiding vision of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, and modeled after schools in Turkey.
The Orange County Turkish School is open to all OCTAA members and the public. Our curriculum helps children (ages 4–12) and adults develop a deeper sense of Turkish identity, inspired by the historical, cultural, and ethical values of the Turkish people from ancient times to the present. Students explore Turkish history, geography, culture, literature, music, theater, governance, and holiday traditions in an engaging and community-centered learning environment.
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
Ekin Atila was born and raised in Monterey County, where she was always encouraged to express her Turkish heritage through arts and culture by her involvement in the Turkish American Association of California (CalTurks). She is currently an undergraduate student at UC Irvine and aspires to pursue medicine in the future. Throughout her upbringing, she was apart of her local Turkish Community’s folk dance ensemble where she learned and publicly performed folk dances at festivals and cultural events: Delilo Dance form Elazig region, Ata Bari from Artvin region, and Gaziantep and Silifke regional dances. As she grew older, she was able to then pass on what she had learned by training new members of their folk dance group. This has sparked Ekin’s great passion for teaching, and now she wants to share these cultural dances with our students to inspire them to proudly present and express their Turkish cultural heritage!
Ekin Atila
Dance Class
Tuğba Girgin Vanlı graduated from Ankara University's Department of Educational Sciences.
After completing her master's degree in Fine Arts Education in Ankara, she worked as a creative drama teacher in an elementary school.
She also served as a drama leader for schools and non-governmental organizations with children and adults from different age groups at the Contemporary Drama Association.
After moving to the United States, she worked as a kindergarten and preschool teacher.
While her three sons were young, she volunteered as a teacher and education coordinator at the Orange County Turkish School.
She is currently an active volunteer at the Bridge to Türkiye Fund Orange County, CA Giving Circle.
She's very excited to be a part of OCTS and looks forward to reuniting!
Tuğba Vanlı
Turkish Class
Hi, my name is Açalya Heeren. I was born in Turkey in 1972 and graduated from Ankara University with a degree in American Culture and Literature. Before moving to the United States in 2005, I taught English and Turkish in Japan. Although I earned my TEFL teaching certificate, I chose to focus on raising my son full-time.
During the early years of the Orange County Turkish School, I continued my passion for teaching by volunteering for four years as a Turkish teacher in adult classes and providing one-on-one private lessons.
Besides teaching, I hold a second-dan black belt in Taekwondo and taught in that field for several years. I also enjoy freestyle swimming and crocheting.
I'm excited to meet my new students at OCTS!
Açalya Heeren
Adult Class
I am a dedicated Turkish Teacher with over 17 years of experience in Turkish language and literature instruction. I graduated from Selçuk University in 2006 and have since worked in reputable schools in Turkey, helping students develop their Turkish language skills. Throughout my career, I've been passionate about supporting students' personal and academic growth through engaging teaching methods. I've also led several successful TÜBİTAK-supported projects with my students, focusing on creativity and academic achievement.
I believe reading plays a crucial role in a child's development and always encourage my students to cultivate strong reading habits. My teaching approach focuses on improving students' Turkish reading, comprehension, speaking, and writing skills. Since moving to the United States in June 2024, I'm excited to continue my journey by offering Turkish language education to new students. I look forward to helping students discover the beauty of the Turkish language and achieve their learning goals.
Neşe Çora Uruk
Turkish Class
An inspiring educator with a Bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts and over a year of experience in education and childcare. They've completed 18 units in a multiple-subject teaching credential program. Eager to bring a unique perspective to a full-time, creative teaching position where they can support students' academic and personal growth.
Defne Agralı
Theater Class
Ada Hans is a multidisciplinary artist and yoga instructor. She graduated with honors from Yeditepe University's Department of Fine Arts and continued her education at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.
Her work spans a wide range, from sculpture, model, and prototype production to international exhibitions and biennials. She has collaborated with institutions such as Contemporary Istanbul, the Istanbul Biennial, and Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, taking an active role in artistic production and project management.
Hans aims to create a transformative and inspiring space by blending her art with the internal discipline of yoga, both in her personal practice and her community work.
Ada Hans
Art Class
Görsev Tepe is an award-winning pianist, composer, and music educator. She began piano at the age of five and moved to the United States on a government scholarship for children with extraordinary talent. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Professional Music/Performance from Berklee College of Music and her Master of Music in Performer/Composer from The New School in New York City. Her career highlights include performances at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Merkin Hall, and the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C.
With many years of teaching experience, Görsev has worked with students of all ages in schools, festivals, after-school programs, and private lessons. She is passionate about blending classical foundations with contemporary music to foster creativity and self-expression. At Orange County Turkish School, she is excited to share her love of music and finds great joy in passing on Turkish culture to younger generations through the arts.
Görsev Tepe
Music Class
Our Board Members
Arzu Dogan
PRESIDENT
Semra Cengiz
VICE PRESIDENT
Muge Akalın
TREASURER
Komite Üyeleri
Aytekin Akkaya
IT DESTEK
Burcu Yavuz
Etkinlik planlayıcısı
Elif Demiroglu
Etkinlik planlayıcısı
Merve Tan
SOSYAL MEDYA VE Halkla ilişkiler
Tugba Aslan
Üye
Ayse Erkan
Üye
Contact Us
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.
RESIM GALERIMIZ
