The San Francisco Mayor’s Office honored Aim High co-Site Director Laney Corda this past spring with the Mayor’s Teacher of the Year Award. Along with five other SFUSD educators, Laney received the award for her commitment to innovation, accountability, and equity in the classroom.Laney is a beloved figure in the Aim High community. She has co-led our Western Addition campus at Gateway High School since 2012. Laney Corda (second from right) and five other educators were honored at AT&T Park for their dedication and outstanding work in SFUSD. (Photo courtesy of SF Education Fund)Summers at Aim High have helped her hone leadership skills and gain confidence, benefiting her both inside and outside of the classroom. “In my personal and professional growth, Aim High has been instrumental in becoming who I have become as a person and as an educator,” she says. Today, Laney teaches sixth grade language arts and social studies at James Lick Middle School, and this fall will mark her eighth anniversary on the staff. Due to construction this past year at her school, Laney’s class sizes doubled while her teaching space was cut in half. “This was one of the harder years as a teacher. This award is a reflection of my colleagues and how they’ve supported me,” she says. “It feels like my whole school won.”Laney became an educator after participating in Teach For America. Following college, she joined the two-year program as sixth grade instructor. It wasn’t long before she realized education was her calling. “I fell in love,” Laney says. “I had amazing mentor teachers, which made the biggest difference. My principal was in my classroom coaching me almost everyday. I felt very supported.” Laney also has two other jobs that help her make ends meet on her teacher salary.Aim High is unbelievably proud of Laney’s commitment to education and to her students. We look forward to witnessing her accomplishments in the classroom and beyond. Congratulations, Laney!Read more about Laney and other stellar site directors on the Aim High website.
