Tara Filowitz has been an English Language Arts and Drama teacher at Valencia High School (Placentia, CA) since 2007. She has been involved with TEDx since 2015 - first as a mentor teacher, then as a Co-Coordinator, and now as the sole Coordinator since 2018. Events Coordinated: TEDxValenciaHighSchool 2017 - Engage; 2018 - Empower; 2019 - Belonging; 2022 - Believe; 2023 - Becoming; 2024 - N-Cubed (Noticed, Needed, & Nurtured); and 2025 - ENERGY. Full Bio: Tara Filowitz (Arrey) is a graduate of both Brandeis University (Waltham, MA) and Chapman University (Orange, CA). At Brandeis, Ms. Filowitz received a BA in Theatre Arts, with an emphasis in Dramatic Structure and Text, in 2001. At Chapman University she received both a Teaching Credential (Single Subject CLAD Credential with a focus in Secondary English - 2007) and a Masters degree in Education (emphasis in Curriculum and Foundations - 2009). Additionally, while at Chapman Ms. Filowitz was the recipient of the Tye Fellowship and the California Retired Teacher's Scholarship. Ms. Filowitz's credentials also include having worked at, and attended, the Orange County High School of the Arts/Los Alamitos High School (as a student, and later as a teacher), in conjunction with her credential in English. Ms. Filowitz has an extensive background in both Language Arts (Grammar/Writing/Literature) and in Theatre Arts (both acting and dramatic theory/history. Here at Valencia, Ms. Filowitz has acted as the TEDxVHS Coordinator, OCAD Speech Coach, and Senior Awards Coordinator. Last year she received a generous grant from the Placentia Chamber of Commerce for her work with TEDx.

2024/25 will be Mr. Boaz’ 9th year teaching high school. This year Mr. Boaz will teach: Intro to Arts, Media & Entertainment (AME), Video Production & Advanced Video Production (Tiger Tube) and Sports & Event Broadcasting (Tigers Sports & Event Network - TSEN). Our studio/classroom is in room 803. Our productions are broadcast on: - Our Youtube Channel (Tiger Tube, The Morning Report, Live Arts and Academic Events) - NFHS - (Sports Events) Mr. Boaz is a product of PYLUSD schools and graduated from California State University at Fullerton with a BA in Liberal Studies – International Business, and a Minor in Pacific Rim Studies. After college Mr. Boaz moved to Osaka, Japan with his new bride Alison. During their first year of marriage, they taught English at a private school called PASS Language Square. Just over 10 years ago, Mr. Boaz returned to school earning both single subject and Career Technical Education (CTE) teaching credentials and a Masters of Education in Educational Technology from National University. Mr. Boaz' authorized teaching subjects include; Business, Arts, Media & Entertainment, Finance, Geography, Comparative Political Systems and International Relations. Before starting the 2016-2017 school year (his first full year teaching), Mr. Boaz has had three distinct decade-long careers starting when he graduated from high school. They include working as a stage technician at Disneyland, working as a middle-management executive for a large corporation (Mitsubishi International Corp.) , and finally, as an entrepreneur and small business owner (Elastic Media Corp. ). On a personal note, Mr. Boaz is married and has two children, was born in Detroit Michigan and has lived in north Orange County for 50+ years. As a community volunteer, Mr. Boaz has served as President of Placentia PONY Baseball, coached baseball and basketball and has served several years as a Booster Club Board Member and past President. Mr. Boaz was also elected to sit on the Measure A - Bond Oversight Committee for the PYLUSD prior to teaching. The Bond funded recent classroom technology upgrades, new gymnasiums, turf fields, stadium facilities and the recent renovation of the Valencia High School auditorium. Finally, Mr. Boaz is the advisor to the Rock Gala Club which started in 2019, the CTE Site Coordinator at VHS and on the newly formed CIF-SS Student Broadcast Committee focused on sports broadcasting.