Since 1995, the Foundation for the Future has recognized and rewarded teachers who demonstrate excellence in the classroom through the presentation of annual Foundation Teaching Awards. In 1998, the Leadership Award was created to recognize and reward M-A teachers or staff members with a long history of leadership at M-A, presented periodically, as warranted. The Foundation Classified Staff Award was added in 2003 to recognize and reward classified staff.

Teaching Awards
Manja Ericsson: Six periods a day of Algebra, AS Algebra II, and Algebra support, and Manja still has a sense of humor. Manja is in her third year at M-A, and is as enthusiastic about teaching math as the day she started. Earlier this year, she was honored with the Foundation’s Impact Award.

Sophia Kalamaras: A stellar English teacher, Sophia is passionate about all things Greek. How fitting that she teaches units on Greek mythology and even penned her own myth! Sophia brings high expectations to her classroom, where students engage in the usual essays and vocabulary lessons, as well as Socratic seminars, literary circles and performances of Romeo and Juliet.

Lance Powell: Lance brings hands-on science to his Academy students. He is often setting up labs at home, making jello on weekends, trekking to UCSF to pick up human organs or to Golden Gate Park for pond weed, all for his Foundation-supported Environmental Analysis class. He is committed to raising the environmental consciousness of our students.

Marei Kane: Marei teaches the full range of English students at M-A, from our newest English learners to those tackling AP Composition. And she is loved by all. She brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her students gleaned from her years of travel, knowledge of several foreign languages, and passion for world arts and cultures.

Classified Staff Award Recipient
Marvis Stoecker: “Marvelous Marv” has been giving to M-A since her days as a parent volunteer over 20 years ago. A former Portola Valley teacher and a current library clerk, Marvis welcomes students to the newly-renovated library to study, research, tutor and relax. As she has often remarked, “Teenagers and books. It just doesn’t get any better than that!”.

Impact Awards
In 1999, The Foundation began a program to recognize and reward M-A teachers and staff members who make a positive impact on campus.

This year’s recipients are Elizabeth Bannan, Jeff DeCurtins, Kim Dunfey, Manja Ericcson, Julie Gross, Bridget Heaney, Simone Kennel, Elisa Martinez, Brien Oliver, Inez Paepcke, Hugo Reyes, Chris Rubin, Betsy Snow, Andy Stuart, Mike Tillson, Matthew Zito.

New Teacher Awards
(presented at beginning of school year)
Each new M-A teacher receives a $200 welcome-check to help defray the cost of classroom supplies. Last year, 17 New Teacher Awards were presented.