Rebekah Hansen is a fifth grade teacher at Taylor Mountain Elementary School in Santa Rosa. She comes from a long line of teachers and coaches and feels blessed to play a part in her students' lives as she watches them grow, learn, smile, and laugh. Aside from learning their fifth grade curriculum, Rebekkah hopes that she helps her students become better humans who make a difference in the world. She will use the grant money to buy art and science supplies for her students.

Co-founder of New Haven Elementary Social Justice Academy, Roxanne Ramirez is an equity-minded teacher who understands that teaching is about connecting with students and making decisions to support each child's individual needs. She wants to continue to support teachers by adding to her school's Social Justice Library books written by and about marginalized and underrepresented populations for teachers to use in their classrooms. Roxanne wants to be able to support, influence, and empower her scholars and teachers to foster a classroom environment that fosters dignity and belonging.

Elijah Stewart, the second Stewart to receive this award, is in his fourth year teaching eighth grade math in the same neighborhood he grew up in at James Denman Middle School. Elijah is proud to be a role model for his students. In addition to math, Elijah teaches Social Justice Learning and the interconnectedness of economic, social, and environmental issues. He also works as the Black Student Union Co-Advisor, Soccer Assistant Coach, and Track Coach.

Ruben Guzman is an eighth grade teacher at Sunrise Middle School in San Jose. Coming from a similar background as the majority of his students, he relates to his students and has been able to help at-risk students not only improve their math skills, but succeed in multiple aspects of their growth and development. He plans to use the funds to provide more field trips that are service and volunteer-focused so his students can create positive change in their community.

Gabrielle Koizumi is a 9-12th grade teacher at Silver Creek High School in San Jose. She is committed to making the arts accessible to all and developed a policy in which tickets to all Silver Creek Drama productions are free to students. She believes in breaking down the financial barriers to allow all students to experience high-quality drama and access to the arts. Additionally, she casts all students in her productions, adopting a "no-cut" policy. She plans to use the funds to continue to lower the financial burden of attending shows, as well as bring guest artists for upcoming productions.

Tera Coleman is a 9th-12th grade teacher at Thomas Downey High School in Modesto. Tera uses her business acumen and dedication to social justice to create opportunities for her students to learn, grow and uplift their community. For three consecutive years, she's facilitated a community service project at her school aimed at addressing the challenges faced by students living in poverty, investing over $30,000 in local non-profits. In her latest endeavor, she helped certify over 20 students into proficient tax preparers - the students filed over 200 tax returns for low-income individuals/families within a single tax season.

Amanda Clark is the Principal of Sedgwick Elementary in Cupertino. Amanda is committed to the importance of inclusive practices and equitable access to opportunities. With this award, she will increase her school's inclusive play equipment, ensuring that every student, including neurodivergent learners and those of all abilities, can fully participate in recess and lunchtime activities. Amanda will use a portion of the funds to support student-led clubs where students have the freedom to pursue their unique interests. With the power of collaboration and teamwork, she recognizes that every member of the school community plays a vital role in shaping the educational experience for students.

David Blanco is a school administrator at Downtown College Prep in San Jose. As an administrator, David builds authentic relationships and promotes restorative practices to tackle the root of student issues. As a former multi-sport athlete, he believes in the power of athletics and extracurricular activities to shape students' futures by keeping them away from gang violence and drug use and provide opportunities for college scholarships. The funds from this award will go directly to his school's athletics programming, grappling club, and boxing club for next school year.

Julia Dayao is a Youth Program Specialist at Booker T. Washington Community Service Center in San Francisco. Julia focuses on culturally sustaining lessons that integrate art, literacy, and science to not only affirm youth's identities, but also encourage cross-cultural connections that inspire them to think critically about the way people of color are treated. She will use the funds from this award to buy new art supplies to allow youth the opportunity to explore different mediums and modes of expression and to put towards field trips to give her students experiences that they otherwise wouldn't be able to have.

Brent Lee is a high school STEM non-profit program coordinator with the JCYC Workforce Development Department in San Francisco and works with students from Galileo High School. Brent mentors and advises a cohort of students who are majority low-income and first-generation college-bound youths. His passion for making a difference in his community is through providing as many resources and internships as possible towards STEM careers and pathways for his students.