Principal at Casa Blanca Elementary, Bernardo (Bernie) Torres had a clear mission in mind as he was creating a new campus from the ground up - “reimagine learning.” This mission was brought to life as Torres and team created a STEM campus equipped with labs, flexible furniture and outdoor terraces for hands-on learning. This campus not only serves as a STEM forward school, but also as a piece in connecting the community of Casa Blanca - a region once fragmented by the lack of a local elementary school. Principal Torres has made great strides in creating educational spaces for students as well as creating community space for the Casa Blanca neighborhood. Congratulations Bernardo Torres!

An educator at Cambridge Virtual Academy, Ray Solorzano has mastered the art of teaching through a screen. The virtual nature of this campus’s educational program has allowed Ray’s students to be flexible and fully dive in to their future goals. Ray encourages his students to try on many hats and explore what kind of job would best suit them in the future. His partnership with a group called “Empowered” has allowed students to create small businesses and receive micro-loans as part of a capstone project he created and dubbed “Market Day.” Any profits students make on this day are put towards scholarships that the students can use in their future. Congratulations Ray Solorzano!

At College Park Elementary School, Meleah Shank has created a counseling program that gives young students the support they need throughout their educational journey. She runs various organizations on campus including the Mental Health Club - a club comprised of 6th grade girls who work together to teach and promote mental wellness for the younger students on campus. Students across grade levels have felt the impact Mrs. Shank has made, especially through her implementation of “calm corners” across campus. These calm corners were funded via a grant she wrote in for and they consist of soft seating, fidget toys and breathing exercises that students can use throughout the day to calm down and unwind. Congratulations Meleah Shank!