BHUSD Teacher-Librarian, Teacher Of The Year Finalist

January 24, 2025 ·

Photo Credit: Joe Ciciarelli

BEVERLY HILLS—On January 23, the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) announced that Jesse Braun, the teacher-librarian at Beverly Vista Middle School has been named as a finalist for the 2025, California Teacher of the Year (TOY) by California Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond.


Photo Credit: Tim Van Cleef


Braun, a University of California, Irvine (UCI) alumnus, is being recognized for his exceptional dedication to his students and his ability to foster the love of learning in those he teaches.

According to the BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy, Jesse Braun’s recognition as a finalist for the 2025 California Teachers of the Year is a testament to his incredible passion for education and his tireless efforts to inspire students to achieve their fullest potential. We are immensely proud to have an educator of his caliber representing our district and serving as a role model for our students and staff”.

UC Irvine School of Humanities highlighted Mr. Braun in their collegiate publication. Braun was at one time an honors student sharing his love and knowledge of broadband radio on campus.

In an interview for the alum newsletter, Braun was asked what advice or encouragement he’d give others seeking a position as a teacher-librarian.

Braun indicated that he had close to 100 students at any given time, in a library that seats 75.

“So, they leaned against shelves, sat on the floor, and curled up in corners. It made me really appreciate how much my library has become a central hub on my campus. It’s a, really vibrant, and active place.”

“Education is a vital and rewarding field, and I can unreservedly say that Teacher Librarians have the best jobs in education! I love what I do, and I feel lucky every day that I get to do it. I fear, however, that the era of the certificated Teacher Librarian who provides instruction in information literacy, digital citizenship, and research skills could sadly be coming to an end – at least here in the state of California.

I sincerely hope that we change, course and begin to invest more deeply in school libraries as essential educational spaces. This year, in my role as Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year, I’m advocating for Teacher Librarians and the formal instruction we provide. I sincerely believe school libraries build a foundation in information literacy that imparts a broad societal benefit. I only hope that we can continue to offer that to the students of the next generation and beyond.”

By Sharon



Next Post

President Donald Trump Takes Aerial Tour Of Wildfire Damage

CALIFORNIA—On January 25, President Trump accompanied by First Lady, Melania Trump, boarded Marine One to survey storm damage in North Carolina and the aftermath of rampant wildfires in southern California.Governor Gavin Newsom greeted President and First Lady Melania Trump on…
Read
Previous Post

LAHSA Postpones 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count

SANTA MONICA—On Wednesday, January 23, the city of Santa Monica posted on its Facebook page that the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) postponed the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, originally slated to take place from January 23 through…
Read
Random Post

One Person Killed In Studio City Fire

STUDIO CITY—The Los Angeles Fire Department announced one person was killed during a fire in Studio City on Monday, August 5. The LAFD reported that at 9:23 p.m. they were called to the scene of a structure fire at 4258…
Read
Random Post

Santa Monica Swim Center Fun Events

SANTA MONICA—Santa Monica events are about to kick-off. The Santa Monica Swim Center begins its hours of operation on Saturday, June 15. Teen Nights will be held on Friday, June 21 and August 2 from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.…
Read
Random Post

One Man Arrested For Murder In West Hollywood

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, August 6 at 12:45 p.m. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) detectives responded to a call to assist the Los Angeles Fire Department with a victim outside the convenience store in the 7900 block of Santa Monica…
Read
Random Post

Commercial Building Structure Fire In Hollywood Extinguished By LAFD

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On Saturday, September 14, the Los Angeles Fire Department indicated that they battled a fire at 6110 W Santa Monica Blvd. The blaze was first reported at 7:28 p.m. at a commercial building showing smoke that was approximately 75'…
Read