The State Board of Education recently announced the appointment of Viken Hovsepian to a four-year term on the California Curriculum Commission. Along with 16 other commissioners–Hovsepian will be responsible for guiding upcoming curriculum choices for California’s school children.
Hovsepian–a noted Glendale educator and strong supporter of high standards in math education–served on the California State Mathematics Framework Committee which just concluded its revision of statewide requiremen’s for learning mathematics at each grade level.
Hovsepian–regarding his appointment to the commission–enthusiastically said–"this appointment will give me the opportunity to positively affect children in all areas of education." A former private school principal–he believes that standards are a must for all students.
"We must continue to raise the quality of the education our children receive. Every one of our students must be competitive not only in California–but throughout all of the United States and the world."
1997 has been a hectic year for Hovsepian. In June his strength and creativity as an innovative teacher were recognized when he was named the Southern California Presidential Award winner for mathematics–one of the most prestigious honors bestowed upon educators by the National Science Foundation.
The White House–in the near future–will announce the California state honoree from among Hovsepian and the only two other finalists–one each from Central and Northern California.
In September–the State Mathematics Framework Committee–to which Hovsepian devoted concentrated effort–completed its work. Once adopted by the State Board of Education–this framework will drastically alter the approach in teaching mathematics in California.
The appointment to the California Curriculum Commission places this busy and dedicated educator in a position to leave a mark on all educational matters for the benefit of all California students.
"I always think about–dream about–and work towards ways to improve the mathematics standing of all our students–whether in public or non-public schools throughout the State," Hovsepian said. "I’ve been lucky to have the chance to do what I really love–but without the steady–unwavering support of my District executives–from Superintendent James Brown to Theresa Saunders–my principal at Hoover High School–and the encouragement of my immediate family–I could not have accomplished any of these things."
With his wife and two daughters–Hovsepian resides in Glendale. He currently enjoys teaching at Hoover High School–serves as adjunct mathematics professor at Pasadena City College–and is the Evening/Weekend Supervisor at Rio Hondo College.