The Rebecca Turner Meaningful Impact Award was created in honor of Rebecca Turner for her passion and commitment to the LA’s BEST mission for over 15 years. Rebecca supported the organization in roles such asTraveling Staff and Site Operations Director. This award was established to honor her life and deep care for all LA’s BEST staff. She is remembered for her storytelling, commitment to developing staff, and unwavering support for our students. She always went above and beyond to care for our LA’s BEST community. This award represents her belief that all the staff can make a meaningful impact.
The Meaningful Impact Award recognizes a Program Worker (PW) or Program Supervisor (PS) who demonstrates dedication, creativity, and an attitude that inspires students and staff alike. They embody our values and make meaningful connections within the LA’s BEST community, enriching daily experiences and leaving lasting impressions.
2023 Inaugural Recipient
Maria Carranza, Program Worker at Sylmar Elementary
Maria has taken the time to transform her classroom into another world. She creates activities that have the students so excited to show their parents when they get picked up. Almost all, if not all, of her students ask to go back to her group when they age out the next year.
Maria takes the time to bond with every student in her group and makes sure that her activities are engaging and speaks to every student’s interests. She hangs the activities up so that the students can showcase their work. Everyday at supper her students run up to her asking if they can announce the community agreements that day. She chooses one or two students a day to announce community agreements and the students absolutely love it.
I have never had a Program Worker that was more loved by her students and parents. Parents have told me that their students go home and will not stop talking about Ms. Carranza. She is structured and firm yet caring and kind. She is the perfect balance of what a Program Worker should be and what the students need.
I have seen Maria’s dedication from the first day she started. She comes in early almost daily to work on her classroom or other classrooms. She spends her own money on activities. She hardly ever misses a day and is never late.