San Jose Teacher Honored By Alliance For Black Educators

CAMPBELL, CA - From Campbell Unified School District: Middle School Teacher Asha Sudra Finkel is the recipient of Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators’ Hank Hutchins Award. She is being recognized for her work in creating opportunities for families to be engaged in the community and for students to see how their learning can impact the community—especially those students who historically have been marginalized.

“Asha is passionate about empowering student voice and agency in the community,” said Campbell Union School District Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “At school and in the community, she champions causes that she believes will improve the lives of children and families.”

A resident of San Jose, Finkel is a California-based certified trainer for Teaching Tolerance and has done several trainings in Campbell Union and other school districts. As a member of Monroe’s Instructional Leadership Team, she promotes a perspective of equity and a focus on students to the decision-making process.

“Asha is a dynamic teacher, and she’s passionate about equity, social justice and restorative practices,” said Monroe Principal Dawnel Sonntag. “She’s incredibly talented in the way she helps students see the connections between historical events and what is happening today.”

In her six years in Campbell Union School District, Finkel has taught third, fifth and eighth grade. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and her multiple subject teaching credential from University of California Santa Cruz.

Aslo, Finkel is a spoken-word poet and was featured in Content Magazine. (http://content-magazine.com/home/asha/)

Monroe Middle School is one of 12 public schools in the Campbell Union School District. Located in San Jose, California, Monroe Middle School educates more than 900 students in grades 5 through 8. Online at monroe.campbellusd.org.

Campbell Union School District is a model for innovative programs for preschool through eighth grade students from the communities of Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, San Jose, Santa Clara, and Saratoga. In addition to conventional school settings, we offer families options such as dual language immersion, parent participation, design thinking/innovation, and home schooling. More information: 408-341-7254 or www.campbellusd.org.

Photo courtesy of Campbell Unified School District