Geoff Bowman earned his bachelor of history from the University of California, Riverside and his credential from Brandman University. He has taught Social Studies for grades 8-12 at New Vista School and Palisades Charter High School. While at PCHS, Mr. Bowman also taught a “Virtual Academy” for college preparatory and Advanced Placement Social Studies courses. Mr. Bowman has helped to establish a strong CSArts-SGV school culture as a member of the founding team of 2017. Mr. Bowman teaches Early World History and Sociology.

Chelsea Garcia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Civilizations from the University of California, Los Angeles. She later earned her Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science from California State University, Fullerton. Mrs. Garcia teaches World History.

Andrew Pegan has been teaching some combination of English and History for the past 8 years. He has worked in Baltimore, Compton, South LA, and Santa Ana. He has a Bachelor of the Arts in Political Science from California State University, Fullerton and a Master of the Arts in Teaching Secondary Social Studies from Johns Hopkins University. In his free time, Andrew enjoys reading and traveling. 

Timothy Skinner majored in history at Loyola Marymount University and then earned his Social Science Teaching Credential and Master's in Education at Mount Saint Mary's University. Mr. Skinner spent the past 19 years teaching social studies with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Green Dot Public Schools, first in Inglewood and then in Boyle Heights. He also teaches weekend classes in the Education Department at Mt. St. Mary's University. Mr. Skinner is eager to help his students become well-rounded critical thinkers and effective communicators through the study of history. Outside of work, Mr. Skinner has been married to his college sweetheart for 15 years, and they live in nearby Arcadia with their three children. He loves bad movies and music, the Dodgers, and being the proudest (and loudest) dad at every one of his children’s baseball and basketball games and ballet performances.

Erick Taggart joined the CSArts-SGV team in 2018 and has been a social studies and AVID teacher for eight years.  Before coming to CSArts-SGV, he worked at South High School in Minneapolis, MN, and prior to that, he taught for two years overseas in Busan, South Korea, and for one year in Shanghai, China. Erick attended UC Berkeley for his undergraduate degree, and he earned his Master’s in Teaching from the University of Southern California.  Outside of teaching, he has been a debate coach with the Minnesota Urban Debate League and has worked with students on various clubs and committees, including Prom, Anime, and Dungeons and Dragons. In his free time, Erick likes to read (especially comic books), play board and role playing games, travel, cook and eat new foods, and go on short or multi-day hikes.

Ms. Yip double majored in Education Sciences and Psychology and Social Behavior at UC Irvine, and then earned her Master's in Teacher Education and Social Science Teaching Credential at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Prior to joining CSArts-SGV, Ms. Yip has worked with high school students near and far! She's been a mentor to international students at UCI and in Japan, a college counselor and AP Psychology tutor to students in San Marino, a U.S. History teacher to students in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and an Ethnic Studies teacher to students at her alma mater, Rosemead High School. 

Outside of teaching, Ms. Yip loves spending time with her family and grandparents, creating videos, and works as a part-time Social Media Manager.