Our story…
A California native and graduate of California State University Dominguez Hills with a Masters Degree in Education, and a graduate of California State University Long Beach with degrees in Social Work and History, Jim lived with a passion for urban farming. Ahead of his time, he received grants to build gardens at middle schools and highs schools in South Los Angeles. He was beyond passionate about sharing the importance of growing food, both to appreciate the beauty of the natural world as well to encourage a healthy lifestyle for his students. They ate all that they grew.
It is in this spirit we are proud to offer awards to help students and teachers continue with the importance of education. We dedicate this Scholarship Foundation to the values and passions that Jim carried throughout his career, and throughout his life.
About James Tomlinson
Known to his students as Mr. T, Jim Tomlinson was a life long teacher and administrator in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Throughout his career, Jim taught sixth through twelfth grades. His subjects included History, Economics, English as a Second Language, Life Skills, and Horticulture. He also enjoyed teaching the Adult School ESL program for many years at Compton College. He retired as Dean of Discipline at David Star Jordan High School in Watts, Los Angelas.
A California native and graduate of California State University Dominguez Hills with a Masters Degree in Education, and a graduate of California State University Long Beach with degrees in Social Work and History, Jim lived with a passion for farming, and a love for latin American culture and Mexico. He enjoyed teaching, traveling summers in Mexico, befriending and supporting locals, often meeting and supporting artists, painters, jewelry makers, and musicians. Jim lived in Long Beach, California with his wife and two sons.
It is in this spirit we are proud to offer awards to help students and teachers continue with the importance of education. We dedicate this Scholarship Foundation to the values and passions that Jim carried throughout his career, and throughout his life.
