The World According to Tara

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 on 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's 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 (OCSA)/Los Alamitos High School (as a student and later as a teacher in the OCSA Music & Theater Conservatory) 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).

Being the granddaughter of Auschwitz Survivors, Ms. FIiowitz has worked as a Holocaust Educator since the age of 16 - attending the March of the Living (1996) and traveling around Southern California, giving presentations at synagogues and schools. This evolved into her teaching regularly at Temple Beth Tikvah - primarily in Holocaust Education.

At Valencia High School, Ms. Filowitz has taught English Language Arts since 2007 - primarily 9th and 12th grades and has acted as the TEDxValenciaHighSchool Coordinator, OCAD Speech Coach, Chapman Holocaust Art & Writing Contest Site Coordinator, and Senior Awards Coordinator. In 2019 she received a generous grant from the Placentia Chamber of Commerce for her work with TEDx. In Fall 2023 Ms. Filowitz will move into a new role as the VHS Drama teacher and will be directing productions and teaching acting/stagecraft. Ms. Filowitz has attended IB Drama training and brings 12+ years of professional training in acting, voice, and movement from some of the top directors, actors, and theater companies in the country. 

On a personal note - Tara is married (since 2008) and is the proud mother of her stepson who graduated from VHS in 2013 (PJ), daughter (Charly) - 8th Grade, and two dogs (Piggy, and Kermit). She is also very close to her parents and brother Adam, along with her two nephews. 

Likes: Douglas Coupland (Author), Bravo Reality TV, anything Musical Theatre (Favorite Show = The Book of Mormon, Karaoke, LEGOS, Shakespeare, Stephen Sondheim, Canada Dry Ginger Ale, All things George Orwell, Teaching, TEDx, The Cheesecake Factory, EDM (Paul Oakenfold/Bad Boy Bill/Fat Boy Slim/Paul Van Dyk), Christopher Guest movies, and Brady Bunch Trivia.

Dislikes: Disrespect, sharing milk products, people who talk during films in the movie theater, COVID-19, Zoom, Antisemitism (and all race-based hate), student essays written by ChatGPT, closed minds, those who do not stand up for what they believe in, and those who refuse to think for themselves.