Impact on Schools

In addition to the awards presented to individual teachers, Above & Beyond Teaching also presents a cash award to the school of each award winner, to be spent at their discretion, to serve their students best.  

Over the years, our organization has had an impact on dozens of California public high schools, primarily those serving in the most challenging educational environments.  

People in a classroom celebrating and having fun, with one person standing and others sitting or lying down, colorful posters and decorations on the walls.

Here are just a few examples of the impact of these funds as described by our Honorees:

Kirsten Farrell

Venice High School, Los Angeles Unified School District

As the Venice High School Sports Medicine program educated future health care professionals, it explored outdoor and wilderness medicine, an area less accessible in Los Angeles where emergency services are typically close at hand. This raised a critical question: how do students respond when 911 isn’t an option and help is 20, 30, or even 60 minutes away?

In August, before the school year resumed, the Venice Sports Medicine team participated in a two-day outdoor adventure workshop focused on team bonding, wilderness injury response, and emergency planning. Funded by the Above & Beyond Award in partnership with the Gondolier Booster Club, the experience challenged students in new ways and expanded their real-world preparedness. We are grateful to Above & Beyond for continuing to support and celebrate teachers and their students.

2021 HONOREE

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Mike Tinoco

Yerba Buena High School, East Side Union School District

A portion of the award money was used to purchase a class set of Thien Pham's autobiographical graphic novel Family Style. A number of my students come from migrant families or are migrants themselves, and the text is very relatable to many of them. This was my first year teaching that book, and nearly all students, especially my Vietnamese ones, said that they thoroughly enjoyed it.

The other portion of the award money was given to a club we have at our school called SPARC, which gives out scholarships and provides essentials (e.g., toiletries, clothing, etc.) for students in need. SPARC is an invaluable asset at our school, which has supported countless students over the years.

2024 HONOREE

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  • "Grateful the Carlston Family Foundation award will join Sheri Zoratti’s scholarship, helping bridge financial gaps so two students each year can pursue a four-year college experience."

    —David Allen | Santiago High School, Garden Grove School District

  • "I surveyed students and met with Leadership and Peer Leader classes for input. They supported funding student celebrations and contributing annually to 'Class of' funds."

    — 2023 Honoree Michelle Suarez | Diego Rivera Learning Complex, Los Angeles Unified School District

  • “I am using the funds to purchase resources and other materials for the social studies department

    2022 Honoree AndrewKordik | Valley Center High School, Valley Center Unified School District

Tracey Williams-Anderson

Florin High School, Elk Grove Unified School District

I used the funds to update/add to English teachers' SSR (Sustained Silent Reading) classroom libraries.  

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Julieanne Reall

Anaheim High School, Anaheim Union School District

The fund was used to support students who could not afford AP testing and college application fees, particularly those who did not qualify for free or reduced lunch yet whose families still faced financial hardship. By easing this financial burden, the fund reduced stress and helped students continue pursuing their academic goals.

2021 HONOREE

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