LIVE Magazine Vol 6 #156 May 3, 2013

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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
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& 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.
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