George Lee, Jr.

I started as an after school worker for LA’s BEST at a school in the neighborhood I grew up in. I saw myself in the students I worked with. They inspired me to make a difference for kids in marginalized communities. My early education experiences weren’t the best, so I promised myself that I would become the teacher I never had, one who believes in every child’s potential and supports them in achieving it. My experiences drive my passion for education and equity. I am a teacher who echoes hope.

Last school year, I helped develop an elementary curriculum focused on community and ethnic studies. While teaching a unit on immigration and storytelling to my 3rd graders, we read Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote. Afterward, a student courageously shared his journey immigrating from Central America to the U.S. in front of his peers. His bravery and openness deeply moved me, showcasing the power of education to create a safe space for connection and understanding through personal stories.

I would use the $25,000 to provide my school with resources to enhance student learning. This includes expanding access to technology, like laptops and Wi-Fi for at-home learning, and funding educational field trips to institutions our students don’t usually experience. These opportunities would inspire students to dream bigger, like becoming the next environmental scientist, using their knowledge to make a lasting impact on the world and ensure a safer, sustainable future.