Jesse Braun
Middle School Librarian
Beverly Vista Middle School Library
Beverly Hills, California
“During Mr. Braun’s tenure, the Beverly Vista Middle School Library grew into a beloved, student-centered environment, where every child, every teacher, and every family could feel at home.”
Jesse Braun’s kind heart and remarkable expertise in educational technology have transformed the Beverly Vista Middle School library into a hub of the community—and this year, he has skillfully adapted library services to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
An expert in educational technology, Jesse has brought innovative leadership to his school, incorporating augmented reality and gamified learning into his instruction. Teachers count on him for technology assistance and mentorship, and students benefit from his lessons on digital privacy and online citizenship.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jesse has been indispensable to students and teachers, leading online lessons, transitioning clubs to virtual meetings, offering remote reference assistance, and disseminating bags of textbooks to 900 students, all while maintaining social distancing.
“Since the pandemic closed our school, Mr. Braun has continued to work tirelessly to ensure that our library continues to serve a central role in the Beverly Vista Middle School community,” his nominators wrote. “It has been an undertaking requiring a level of dedication and steadfastness that has been an inspiration to every member of the Beverly Vista Middle School community.”