Every year for the last seventeen years, the Foundation has recognized teaching excellence with Teaching Awards. In 1998 we instituted a Leadership Award and in 2003 an award for Classified Staff was introduced. Recipients are nominated by colleagues and reviewed by a committee of administrators, certificated and classified staff and the Foundation. Each month teachers and staff who have a measurable positive impact on campus are recognized with Impact Awards. All new teachers receive a Foundation grant to defray classroom start-up costs.

2011 Foundation Leadership, Teaching & Classified Staff Award recipients: Front row, L to R, Alice Kleeman, Inez Paepcke. Back row, L to R, Betsy Snow, Matthew Zito, C.J. Carlson

Teaching Awards
Betsy Snow is integral to the M-A community. She has taught English for the last 6 years and has strived to make her materials accessible for all students. Betsy makes other teachers better by generously sharing her rock solid curriculum and efficiently using technology to enhance teaching. Betsy teaches creatively and enthusiastically. Whether planting the “AS gardens” or creating “the Beach” for her Below Basic sophomores, Betsy creates a universally welcoming learning environment. Betsy challenges students at all levels, from Advanced Placement to English Language Learners. Her latest innovation is The MArk, an adventure in journalism, art and photography that provides a forum for creative students. Betsy’s originality and technological savvy make her the ideal leader for this unique publication. Betsy is smart, passionate and dedicated. M-A students are the lucky beneficiaries.

Inez Paepcke is devoted to the educational advancement of Menlo-Atherton High School. It isn’t any wonder she was named San Mateo County Teacher of the Year for 2009. She teaches students with unceasing energy and expertly educates staff members in the use of technology. Inez approaches challenges with calm demeanor and a smile while preparing her students for the real world through the 21st Century Technologies curriculum.
As a colleague noted, “Inez has been instrumental in the collective success of the Academy program. Her willingness to collaborate makes her an exceptional team member. The students recognize her commitment. Not only does she deliver relevant and engaging curriculum, but the support that she provides for students is extraordinary.”

C.J. Carlson does an excellent job as Algebra team leader and has embraced leadership beyond these duties. He is one of few staff members to get teachers communicating across the curriculum and developing common intervention strategies. C.J. skillfully led a group of teachers from different departments in addressing 9th grade concerns. The new 9th Grade Elective Wheel for is just one example of C.J.’s leadership.

C.J. has spent countless hours devising strategies to improve student life at M-A. He respects his students and treats them accordingly. His low-key manner and non-confrontational style make his classroom a serious but welcoming place where real learning occurs. A colleague said, “When I think of M-A’s future, I feel comfortable knowing that C.J. is here and will continue to grow and develop into the kind of leader that M-A needs.”

Classified Staff Award Recipient
Alice Kleeman, one of the country’s premier college advisors, has been guiding bright futures at M-A for 17 years. Alice goes above and beyond. Her devoted attention to every student is what makes her irreplaceable.

Alice arrives at the crack of dawn to open up the Career Center on cold mornings, makes time at all hours on nights, weekends and holidays to help students, runs a College Club for low-income students, meets individually with AVID students, reviews recommendation letters for teachers, advocates for Special Ed students, serves on the Shared Decision Making Site Council, organizes college visits, attends countless M-A sports and community events and provides virtuosic piano accompaniment for the M-A chorus and musicals in the spare time that she unfathomably finds. Alice has been known to say “I love M-A…I could never work anywhere else!” We are beyond fortunate that she feels that way.

2010–11 Foundation Impact Award Winners: front row, l. to r., Jonathan Senigaglia, Brett Olsson, Sandy Nelson, Craig LeClaire, Alan Perry, Tara Charles, Steven Kryger. Back row,
l. to r., Inez Paepcke, Jessica Huang, Johanna Carpio, Aubrey Orcutt, Alicia Gonzalez, Katie Nelson. Not Pictured: Cara Arcuni, Francisco Conejo, Karina Escobar-Weaver, Bobby Gibson, Robert Gomez, Sophia Kalamaras, John McBlair, Jennifer Paulsen, Lilly Quinonez, Hugo Reyes.