The Carlston Family Foundation recently recognized Whittier College graduate student Orlando Rodriguez with the 2015 Outstanding Teachers of America Award. This award acknowledges his significant contributions to the academic success of students as a math teacher at Libra Academy at Linda Marquez High School in Huntington Park.
To be considered for the award, teachers are nominated by former students who attend or have graduated from four-year colleges. Students explain how the teacher mentored him or her, the style of teaching, and what the teacher contributed to his or her academic success. Seven of Rodriguez’s former students nominated him.
A product of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LASUD,) Rodriguez was the only honoree from LAUSD to receive this award and was one of five teachers in California selected among more than 100 nominations received statewide.
Rodriguez was awarded a cash prize, part for personal use and a $5,000 grant for Libra Academy. When asked how he would spend the school grant, Rodriguez said he would buy graphing calculators for Libra’s math department.
Rodriguez received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Santa Clara University and is pursuing his master’s in education at Whittier College. He resides in Whittier with his wife and two daughters.
