Supporting 100 teachers championing the next generation of students in Los Angeles

Great teachers change the game. Whether a student is destined for entrepreneurship or something else, the impact a teacher makes in the classroom can carry into a student’s career. 

It’s up to all of us to show our appreciation and support teachers as they inspire the next generation of students.

Earlier this year, we asked for nominations to recognize a Los Angeles educator that is helping prepare the next generation for future success. We were blown away by the submissions that highlighted so many wonderful teachers and their impact to help students succeed in and outside the classroom.

The 100 prize winners each received a gift card to put toward class supplies, the opportunity for the educator and their class to participate in a virtual “Find Your Why” session to help students move from self-discovery to career exploration with a plan of action, along with a curated selection of gifts sourced from local small businesses. 

Preparing students for future success starts with the teachers who are championing them today. Intuit is recognizing 100 LA teachers who are making an impact beyond the classroom with care packages to support their work. #TeacherAppreciationWeek

— Intuit (@Intuit) May 3, 2022

Congratulating Marissa Del Pino

On Friday, May 13, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Robert Woods and Intuit’s VP of corporate responsibility, David Zasada surprised Marisa Del Pino, an educator at Cleveland High School in Reseda, California, and presented her with a care package.

Marisa Del Pino is a gifted educator and colleague. She spends countless hours preparing lessons, researching the latest educational strategies, offering feedback on student work, meeting with students to discuss their social and emotional health and well-being. She’s passionate about doing everything she can to support her students.

Not only is Marisa a dedicated faculty advisor for the school’s Latinx Student Union, but her students even refer to her as an educator activist, praising her commitment to equity and justice. 

Marisa also coordinates the ninth grade teaching team, where she’s charged with facilitating weekly teacher meetings, mentoring new teachers, creating curriculum, and organizing ninth grade student activities. She’s also the co-founder of the Equity and Justice Initiative at Cleveland, where she facilitates professional development around issues of systemic oppression that impact Cleveland’s student body. 

Marisa has a special place in her heart for Cleveland, where she graduated from as valedictorian and Student Body President, and also where she met her husband. In her own words she decided to return to Cleveland High School “to give students what I received here.. It was a transformative experience for me, and all I have ever dreamed of doing with my life was being the kind of teacher for others that my teachers were for me.”  

Marisa is just one example of the many teachers that continue to inspire us with their commitment to helping their students build the confidence to create the futures they want.

Preparing students for their future jobs in Los Angeles and beyond

Better preparing students for the job market means bringing real-world tools into classrooms to help develop key skills and an entrepreneurial mindset. But that’s not all. Access to real-world experience is critical for students to gain the confidence they need to succeed. 

Intuit’s Prosperity Hub School District Program provides students and teachers in economically challenged and diverse school districts most in need, with access to programs that develop durable and financial skills to support their future career growth. We’ve made a $1 million donation to expand the program in the L.A. area, partnering with LAUSD, Inglewood USD and Compton USD. 

In Compton, we’ve donated a  $200,000 commercial food truck to help students gain restaurant quality skills; we’ve also partnered with educators to provide curriculum to teach business and accounting skills. We’re excited to be able to support the Compton School District with the resources they need to help students be more prepared for their future jobs. Our work with the Compton Unified School District and the Los Angeles area represents one portion of our larger Job Readiness Program. We’ve already helped prepare over half a million students for jobs, and will help 3 million more by 2024, empowering students to build financial, durable, and entrepreneurial skills with the confidence to create the futures they want.

Preparing students for future success starts with supporting the teachers championing them today. That’s just one more way Intuit works for what you work for.

To learn more about our job readiness efforts, visit our website.