Since 2001, Donn Cottom has dedicated himself to improving the lives of primarily under-represented high school students and their communities as a high school ELA and journalism teacher and Interact club advisor in Los Angeles, California. Through the teaching of writing, reading, speaking, listening and journalism Donn is deeply immersed in the betterment of instructional practice in literacy education. Today, he is considered an innovative practitioner and an instructional leader.
In an unending quest to improve the communities in which he serves Donn takes on leadership positions on his school site and in organizations directly impacting students, including ELA Department Chair, School Site Council, National Honor Society, Quill & Scroll, Interact Club, two local Rotary clubs and Journalism Education Association committees and Write-Off judging. Donn is also involved in the Southern California Journalism Education Association, the California Association of Teachers of English, the National Council of Teachers of English and the International Literacy Association. He has taught online courses for the University of Phoenix’s Axia College, adult school, middle school, and elementary school all the way up to kindergarten classes.
Based on his experiences in the community and in the classroom, Donn has written for community publications including the El Segundo Herald and the Los Angeles Times. He is featured for innovative teaching in LA Schools Report and in a podcast for Dr. Bob Bravo, the current Campbell Union High School District Superintendent and a former Instructional Superintendent for the Los Angeles Unified School District. He also supports student teachers as a mentor teacher.
Donn believes that to affect the environment inside the classroom, the school culture must also be affected. He has been recognized for his work on various projects with students improving their communities by the U.S. Congress, the California State Assembly, the LA County Board of Supervisors, and local City Councils. In 2008, Donn received the Interact moderator of the year award from the Los Angeles Rotary District 5280 for his volunteer work with Los Angeles youth. In 2004, he was selected as one of the “Saucony 26” Most Inspirational People of the Los Angeles Marathon.
Despite a demanding schedule, Donn is dedicated to his wife, Melissa, his two sons, Luke and Liam, and his two dogs, Kaui and Leini. He loves reading, writing, fishing, surfing and time spent with his family.
Donn Cottom 