Anthony Yom: TEP PLI Alumnus Wins Escalante-Gradillas Prize for Best in Education

Updated 10/27/16

Anthony Yom (Teacher Education Program, ’06; Principal Leadership Institute, ’09) has won the Escalante-Gradillas Prize for Best in Education by TheBestSchools.org. The annual award recognizes outstanding K–12 educators, awarding $10,000 to the winning teacher and $10,000 to the winner’s school. The winner and runners-up for the prize will be announced Wednesday, Oct. 26, on TheBestSchools.org website.

“I’m just glad I got another chance to represent Lincoln High School and UCLA’s TEP & PLI,” Yom said when nominated for the prize earlier this month. “Whether I win or not, I’m already a winner because of all the support I’ve been getting.”

TheBestSchools.org provides school ranking information and direction for prospective college students. The Escalante-Gradillas Prize honors the academic integrity and rigor exemplified by Jaime Escalante, the famed East Los Angeles calculus teacher and his principal, Henry Gradillas, who now serves on the prize panel. The Escalante–Gradillas Prize for Best in Education seeks educators who do more with less, raise academic performance, and transform the lives of students.

Yom, whose students consistently pass the AP Calculus exam with a 4.96 average score on the AP Calculus test, made headlines earlier this year when one of his students, Cedrick Argueta, became one of 12 students worldwide to achieve a perfect score on the AP calculus exam. This summer, Yom and eight fellow Bruins were recognized as LAUSD Teachers of the Year.

For LAUSD coverage of Anthony Yom and the Escalante-Gradillas Prize, click here.