Green Dot Public Schools to Shine Spotlight on Top Teachers, Administrators, Counselors and Team Members

Golden Got Awards Highlight the Nonprofit Organization’s Core Values and Focus on Student Success

LOS ANGELES – As it continues to celebrate its 15th anniversary, Green Dot Public Schools will pause this Saturday to honor the teachers, administrators, counselors, and other staff members who best exemplify the core values that drive its work at its third annual Golden Dot Awards ceremony.

“I continue to be humbled by the dedication and commitment our faculty and all our team members show for our students,” said Marco Petruzzi, Green Dot Public Schools National CEO. “I also continue to be impressed by the great strides our students are making and their ability to fully take advantage of the support they receive from our dedicated staff.”

For the first time, Green Dot will have representatives at its annual gala awards show from its three regions in the audience: California, Tennessee and Washington State. The event will take place at the Guerin Pavilion at the Skirball Cultural Center on Saturday, March 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The Golden Dot Awards ceremony will include student performances from the Ánimo Jefferson Charter Middle School Cheerleaders, the Ánimo Inglewood Charter High School Step Team and Locke “Play with Music,” an innovative way for students to collaborate musically.

Each month, Green Dot school sites and regional offices honor those exemplifying Green Dot’s core values.From these nearly 180 monthly awardees, the Golden Dot Awards honor the 13 team members as chosen by representatives from its teaching, counselor and administrative ranks.

The Golden Dot winners come from nearly 1,100 inspiring teachers, staff and administrators who serve Green Dot’s more than 11,000 students. As a result of the dedicated work of the entire Green Dot team, Green Dot has graduated more students than any other charter school organization in the nation for three years in a row.

The Golden Dot awards are based on Green Dot’s Core Values: an unwavering belief in all students’ potential; personal responsibility; a passion for excellence, respect for others and the communities we serve; and demonstrating how all stakeholders are critical in the education process.

“All of our teachers, counselors, administrators and staff embody our core values every day,” said Dr. Cristina de Jesus, Green Dot Public Schools California CEO. “It’s exciting to be able to honor those who go even further beyond the incredible daily dedication I see every day. They are a great example of how we all can have an impact on our students as we help prepare them for college, leadership and life.”

Last year, Green Dot graduated more than 1,500 students, the most of any charter school organization in the nation. During its 15-year history, Green Dot schools have graduated more than 8,000 students with more than 90% being accepted to college.

An independent study by UCLA found that Green Dot students are nearly four times more likely to graduate and be ready for college than students at neighboring schools. A separate UCLA study found that Green Dot’s high schools significantly lower a variety of serious risky behavior among students through increased retention and improved academic outcomes.