My name is José Montaño and I have recently moved from the classroom into an administrative position as the Vice Principal at the Orange County Educational Arts Academy (OCEAA). I'm also in the process of pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Ledership for Social Justice from Loyola Marymount University.

Years Teaching:
I have been a classroom teacher for about 12 years. I began teaching at James Lick Middle School in San Francisco as an 8th grade Language Arts & Social Studies teacher in the Spanish Immersion Program. A few years ago I taught 3rd grade Math and Science at El Sol Science & Arts Academy. The last two years I taught 7th and 8th grade Language Arts & Social Studies as well as teach a Visual Arts class. I also served as the school's Technology Coordinator at OCEAA and developed and implemented the original school technology plan.

Education:
Saddleback High School in Santa Ana, Ca.
Rancho Santiago College, Santa Ana, Ca. (now called Santa Ana College)
University of San Francisco, B.A. Sociology
San Francisco State University, Teaching Credential
Pepperdine University, M.A. Educational Technology
Loyola Marymount University, Ed.D Educational Leadership for Social Justice (completion date: 2010)

Born:
Guadalajara, Jalisco. Mexico 1969.

Grew Up:
I grew up in Santa Ana, California (15 minutes away from Disneyland). I lived here until I transferred to the University of San Francisco. I lived in San Francisco for about 10 years and have recently moved back to my home town of Santa Ana. I'm the oldest of four children (3 boys & 1 girl).

Favorite Music:
I like pretty much everything. I don't think you should limit yourself to one specific genre of music. I listen to a great deal of R&B, Rap, Hip Hop, Old School, Pop, Salsa, Rock en Español, and Classical. My favorite artists right now are; Tupac Shakur, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Eminem, Boys II Men, Maná, James Ingram, Luther Vandross, John Mayer, Black Eyed Peas, and Michael Jackson.

Favorite TV Show:
I like to watch the NBA on TNT (the Lakers especially), Heroes, The Unit, Heroes, and CSI.

Favorite Quote:
"If you're not a part of the solution, then you're a part of the problem"
"Dime con quien andas y te diré quien eres"
(Tell me who you're running with and I'll tell you who you are)

Favorite Book:
"Borderlands: La Frontera" by Gloria Anzaldúa
"Savage Inequalities" by Jonathan Kozol

Books Currently Reading for Pleasure:
Tin Cup Dreams: A Long Shot Makes It on the PGA Tour by Michael D'Antonio

Favorite Part of Job:
I love my students and they keep me young at heart. Being around them and seing their smiles brightens up my day. Knowing that what I'm doing is making a difference in the lives of the students in my class makes me get up in the moring.

Most Challenging Part of Job:
Getting up early in the morning! Not having enough time to do my homework for school and getting bogged down with phone calls and filling out paperwork.

Hobbies:
Recently I have taken up playing golf. My brother introduced me to playing the game and I haven't looked back...I'm hooked on golf.