David Teja, EdD

Education

Ed.D. Learning and Instruction, University of San Francisco 2014

M.A. Special Education, California State University, Chico 1994

B.A. Political Science, California State University, Chico 1987

Areas of Expertise

• Credentials in Multiple Subjects, Mild to Moderate, and Extensive Needs.

Biography

David was born and raised in Yuba City, California. Teja is a Punjabi name and his grandfather was one of the first Sikh's in Sutter County. David spent the long days of his childhood working on the family ranch raising peaches, walnuts, and animals. He moved to Chico in 1982 and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Psychology. David had no idea what he was going to do with his major! Law school was an option, retail management, or selling insurance. He took a class in special education the last semester of his senior year and the seed was planted. He was graduating from Chico State and finally knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life! Isn't it funny how you end one journey and begin another? 

David returned to school after working in retail management and making a ton of money to become a special education teacher! He completed the Multiple Subjects Credential, the Mild-to-Moderate Credential, and the Moderate-to-Severe Teaching Credentials in the School of Education at Chico State. His first teaching job was at Maywood Middle School in Corning, California teaching Mild-to-Moderate (M/M) Special Day Class. He transferred to Berrendos Middle School in Red Bluff and taught Moderate-to-Severe (M/S), Red Bluff HIgh School to teach M/S Adults age 18 to 22. David's journey led him to Bidwell Junior High School were he taught M/S Junior High Students, then to Nelson Avenue School in Oroville, California to teach students with emotional disturbances. He began teaching M/M Special Day Class at Chico Senior High School twenty-two years ago and just retired teaching M/M students in the Resource Program. During this lengthy Special Education Teaching career, David earned his Masters Degree in Education with a Special Education Option from Chico State (1994) and his Doctorate from the University of San Francisco in Learning and Instruction (2014). He is a very proud product of California State University, the School of Education, and the community of Chico. 

David and his wife (Chico State Alumni and Masters in Social Work) have two children (Jordan, who is 25 and just graduated from University of San Diego School of Law, and Josette, who is 23 and is in her first year of law school at Pepperdine). They have a Jack Russell named Peanut who owns them, and they love being part of the Chico community. 

Awards

Care Provider of the Year, The Work Training Center, and the Butte County CAC SELPA Award.

Affiliations

Chico Unified Teachers Association

California Teachers Association

California Faculty Association