34 join us for on sundays A modern day t-dance SERVICE STARTS @ 3PM EVERY SUNDAY * Beautiful Boys & Girls * Drink Specials * Music from the Heavens * Patio Hangout
ig mike and Kevin Beiser There are so many wonderful people who live in our community, but few that stand out like my dear friend Kevin Beiser. Full of compassion, love and dedication he is so full of life and sets out to make a positive difference in not only his life but to those around him. Born in Portland, Oregon and then moved to San Diego 14 years ago to be closer to family, friends, gain new opportunities, to live by the ocean and in our incredible climate. Over these past 14 years Kevin has become a beloved and very well respected citizen of San Diego. Kevin loves being a math teacher at Granger Jr High School in National City. Over the past several years he has been apart of a great team that has improved student outcomes dramatically at the school he teaches. Granger has an Academic Performance Index (API) of 816 and is a National Turnaround School to Watch and was recognized as an National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) finalist--two very prestigious awards. Kevin have been very involved and held many leadership positions at his school and in the school district where he teaches (Sweet water Union High School District); Math Department Chair, Faculty Advisory Committee, District Strategic Planning Committee (budget), AVID Site Team, Professional Learning Community Team Leader, District Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Committee, Link Crew Adviser, Math Field Day Coach, Algebra Bowl Adviser and Football Coach--Yes, he loves football. Did you know Harvey Milk was a football player in high school? Kevin has also been humbled to receive many awards as a teacher. He received the Distinguished Service Award for his work in the GATE program92008), was the Greater San Diego Math Teacher of the Year (2009) and the students voted him "Most Caring Teacher" and "Most Inspirational Teacher" and this year "Most Effective Teacher." Before being a teacher, Kevin worked in the private sector in business management for over a decade. He has extensive experience with Profit and Loss statements, payroll, operational audits, marketing and advertising, accounts receivable, inventory, staff development and training and was a representative with the chamber of commerce. Being in elected office has been a very humbling experience and with it great responsibility as a steward of public education in San Diego Unified. The true trailblazer that Kevin wants to thank is Chris Kehoe who showed that if you work hard, focus on issues and ideas and build the trust and respect of voters, then they will elect you based on your merits. The key to achieving positive change is big mike & Friends building coalitions and partnerships with other decision makers and organizing communities to advocate for their issues. Building a collaborative relationship with the other board members has been vital in passing key measures--you have to be able to count to 3 on a board of 5 if you want to affect change. Kevin has also been involved on the Safe Schools Task Force and the Audit and Finance Committee in the school district. Working together with others in the community, especially Delores Jacobs and the stakeholders on the Safe Schools Task Force, they were able to pass an historic anti-bullying policy to help protect all our students in San Diego Unified Schools. They continue to revise and improve the policies and procedures of this policy to maximize it's efficacy. As an environmentalist, Kevin has advocated for several policies that will reduce our carbon footprint and protect the environment for future generations; ban toxic Styrofoam lunch trays, use bio-diesel in our bus fleet, expand solar power generation, support school and community gardens, expand gray water use and other green measures. Despite incredibly challenging budget times, the school board has held fast to protect Music Education and were recognized this year as one of the best school districts in the United States for Music Education. Kevin was also informed that the California Music Education Association (CMEA) has named him "Legislator of the Year" for his work to protect and expand the visual and performing arts. Academically they have also worked hard to support best practices and implement research based instructional strategies and student support programs to increase student achievement. This year San Diego Unified was named a Broad Foundation Finalist--One of the best school districts in the United States for Academic Growth and closing the achievement gaps for minority and students in poverty. They are one of four school districts to be a Broad Foundation Finalist and the winner will be announced in Washington DC in September. They also have struggled with a structural deficit that has been a fiscal challenge in their efforts to protect the classroom and student programs while still complying with state law to balance the annual budget. Kevin also mention how thrilled that they finally can see light at the end of the tunnel and have a plan to eliminate their structural deficit by 2015--this is a huge financial accomplishment amid some of the darkest days in public education in generations. The hard work, late nights, long days and weekends are all worth it knowing that they are heading in the right direction for our kids. When you ask Kevin about his partner Dan he lights up with excitement. They met playing volley ball in Balboa Park here in San Diego. They were having such a great time Kevin says that the rest is history!! Dan and Kevin just celebrated their 8 year anniversary in January, CONGRATULATIONS boys. They are not married, but are registered domestic partners with the State of California. When marriage equality is achieved they will have to see who proposes to whom first. LOL. I'm sure Kevin would like to have some jewelry around that finger if you know what I mean! Dan is a sweet, caring and very supportive of all of Kevin’s work and their relationship is growing stronger over time,they are both so grateful everyday that they get to share this journey called life together. Kevin describes Dan as a compassionate, understanding, supportive person and the love of his life. Kevin was elected the very first ever openly Gay person to win a set on the San Diego Unified School Board and is currently serving as the Boards Vice -President. Kevin is running for reelection to the school board (information at www. Kevinbeiser.com). His goals are to continue to advocate for kids and ensure that as resources are restored to public schools that they go primarily to essential student programs. They must make sure that monies are allocated to the classroom to chart a path for lower class sizes, protect math,science, music and career technical curriculum and restore key positions like librarians, counselors, nurses and other essential support staff. It would be an honor to have Kevin continue to serve on the school board. Kevin loves being involved in our community and working collaboratively to find solutions that benefit our kids. We are very grateful to Kevin for his hard work and the way he has represented our community with his compassion not only as an openly gay man but as a caring human being. Here’s to our future generation with leadership from amazing teacher like Kevin. 35
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