Dorothy was born in Lihu'e, Kaua'i, Hawai'i to dentist, Dr. Sau Yee Chang, and elementary school teacher, Dorothy Chock Chang. Graduating from Lihu'e Grammar School, she was the first Asian to board at Punahou High School's Castle Hall on O'ahu. She majored in Zoology and minored in Cultural Anthropology during her three years at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Her BS and MS in Zoology and K-14 education are from USC. Dorothy taught General Science for a semester in Long Beach, CA, followed by four years at Belmont High School, LAUSD, teaching biology and trained student teachers. She was then hired by the Air Force Dependent Schools and taught biology and was a counselor at Johnson Air Force Base near Tokyo. While in Japan, she traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia, India, and Japan. Before returning to Los Angeles, she joined her parents touring Europe, Middle East, and UK. At Hamilton High School, LAUSD, Dorothy taught AP Biology, Physiology, trained student teachers, and chaired the science department. She was reader and table leader for College Board's AP Biology exams and member of ETS's Biology Test Development Committee. Rand Corporation asked her to participate in one of their projects. She co-authored "Experiences in Biology" (published by Laidlaw Brothers) and "Biology for Living" (published by Silver Burdett). Dorothy's District Supervisor requested that she leave Hamilton High School to become science advisor for the District's elementary school teachers. When the North Hollywood High School Zoo Magnet, began offering classes in animal studies and biological sciences, Dorothy was selected as the coordinator of the program. She was responsible for recruiting, interviewing, and selecting students for the growing program. The program grew, to include other schools involving her planning the bus schedule. After three years, students at the Zoo moved from their tiny classroom (former workers' lunch room) to several bungalows. She went on to become Science Adviser For LAUSD's junior and senior high schools. Following the death of her husband, James William Van Horn, in 1983, she enrolled in travel classes and worked as an outside travel agent. When she retired from education in 1985, she opened her travel agency and worked with Ush and Mahen Sangrajka of Big Five Tours. Dorothy has escorted tours and, her favorite trips, safaris. She's traveled throughout six continents (Antarctica her favorite), been to 180 countries, and owned time shares in South Africa. During one of her visits to Johannesburg, she stayed in three townships with different economic levels. Her favorite travels are solo and to third world countries. Dorothy's favorite pastimes are traveling, wine tasting, sampling different cuisines, grooming, and riding her scooter next to her beloved dogs.
