Mission Statement

The CSArts-SGV Social Science department strives to help students embrace a multicultural perspective with the goal of developing informed, active citizens. This will be accomplished by:

Focusing on historical literacy and research
Engaging with primary and secondary sources
Working collaboratively with peers
Integrating technology as a classroom tool

Our students will also be imbued with the intellectual creativity to ask questions, grapple with real-world problems, and respond intelligently with reachable solutions.

Geoff Bowman

Instructor

Geoffrey.Bowman@sgv.csarts.net

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 various history classes and Sociology.

Brian Chi

Instructor

Brian.Chi@sgv.csarts.net

2023-2024 is Brian Chi's 12th year teaching. Roles at Central City Value High School: Academic Council Chair, Curriculum Director, Site Council member, AP US Government and Politics, AP Art History, World History, Freshman Seminar, Government, and Economics teacher. Mr. Chi has won two Jerry Awards (similar to a teacher's choice award for living the school's values) at CCVHS. He has taught 3 years of Middle School and this is his 9th year as a high school teacher. Mr. Chi has also coached middle school academic decathlon, basketball, and track and field.

Mr. Chi's favorite quote is, "you don't find yourself, you create yourself." His hobbies include table top games/board games, watching professional wrestling, reading fantasy and science fiction, and working out.

Alyson Gomez

Instructor

Alyson.Gomez@sgv.csarts.net

Alyson Gomez started her academic career at Mt. San Antonio College, earning an Associate of Arts in History. She transferred to California State University, Fullerton where she earned her Bachelors in History, a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science, and finally a Masters in History with an emphasis in Mexican History and Ethnic Minorities in the United States.

She has worked in education for over 10 years, from preschool to college. Still in high school, she worked at a preschool and eventually moved on to working in an after school program. After, she worked as an aide with moderate to severe autistic students in elementary school. Following her work as an aide, she worked at a high school as a government and US history teacher. While enrolled in her Masters program, Mrs. Gomez worked as a graduate assistant, teaching US history and early world history. Finally, she worked at a charter middle school as a medieval history teacher for 3 years before coming to California School of the Arts in 2022.

Outside of work, Mrs. Gomez enjoys spends time with her husband and baby, attending family parties every weekend, going camping, traveling, going to Disneyland, and watching new movies in theaters.

Antonio Reyes

Instructor

Antonio.Reyes@sgv.csarts.net

Antonio Reyes holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Social Behavior and a Masters in Education from the University of California, Irvine (UCI), as well as a credential in Social Sciences and a Supplementary Authorization in World Languages. Mr. Reyes has taught both Spanish and History, and also enjoys coaching club/high school volleyball. Mr. Reyes has served as the LUCHA Co-Advisor, the Video Game Club Advisor, and the Greeting Card Club Advisor. His hobbies include surfing, basketball, attending concerts, and playing video games.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those that mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind." - Bernard Baruch

Andrew Pegan

Instructor

Andrew.Pegan@sgv.csarts.net

Andrew Pegan has been teaching some combination of English and History for the past 12+ 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

Instructor - Curriculum Lead

Timothy.Skinner@sgv.csarts.net

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

Instructor

Erick.Taggart@sgv.csarts.net

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.

Michael Turf

Instructor

Michael.Turf@sgv.csarts.net

Michael Turf holds a Bachelor's Degree in History from California State University, Long Beach. He earned his Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science and began his Master's in History studies at California State University, Chico. Mr. Turf is dedicated to engaging his students of all learning styles with lessons that are rigorous, relevant, and personal. He also lays the foundation for a safe, encouraging, and student-centered learning environment, in which his students can learn, grow, and leave each class period with a sense of achievement and success.

Mr. Turf has 8 years of teaching experience at the middle and high school level and has held titles such as GATE Coordinator, ASB Advisor, Gay-Straight Alliance/Safe Zone Club Advisor, Academic Decathlon Coach, and CJSF Advisor. Mr. Turf has been honored with recognitions such as the Northern California Center for Tolerance and Non-Violence Stand-Out Teacher Award, the Durham Unified School District Teacher of the Year Award in Northern California, and the Santa Ana Unified School District Teacher of the Year Award. Currently, Mr. Turf teaches AP World History, Modern World History, and Government at CSArts-SGV.