FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEE VINING HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATOR

NAMED CARLSTON OUTSTANDING TEACHER OF AMERICA

Lee Vining, CA – November 2025 — Andrew Sindel, a mathematics teacher at Lee Vining High School, has been named one of five recipients of the prestigious 2025 Carlston Outstanding Teachers of America award. Presented by the nonprofit organization Above & Beyond Teaching, the award recognizes exceptional public high school teachers who serve in California’s most challenging school environments.

Sindel and his fellow honorees — representing high schools in Carpinteria, Mission Viejo, Riverside, and Union City — will each receive a $10,000 cash award, along with a $2,000 grant awarded to their respective schools in their name. The announcement of Mr. Sindel’s award will be formally recognized at an upcoming Eastern Sierra Unified School District Board meeting.

Above & Beyond Teaching’s award recipients are nominated exclusively by former students who are either enrolled in or have graduated from four-year colleges and universities. This year, nominations were submitted by students from institutions across the United States, most of whom are first-generation college students who credit their high school teachers with inspiring their academic and personal success.

The selection process is highly competitive and comprehensive. It includes interviews with up to ten former students, the nominee’s school principal, teaching colleagues, and the teacher themselves. Finalists are observed in their classrooms by Above & Beyond Teaching’s Executive Director, Dr. Beverly Young, to assess teaching style, engagement, and impact.

Former students nominating Mr. Sindel described him as a transformational educator whose high expectations, innovative teaching strategies, and unwavering encouragement ignited their passion for learning. Many shared how his influence extended far beyond the classroom, instilling confidence and a belief in their own potential.

“I am extremely grateful for the support I have received from my mentors, colleagues, and family. I have grown significantly as a teacher, and I remain committed to continuing to learn and improve my practice. I am honored to join this organization and am excited to support and empower early-career teachers, just as others supported me.” said Mr. Sindel in response to receiving the award.

In addition to receiving the award, Mr. Sindel and the other four 2025 honorees will join a distinguished group of 104 previous recipients as members of Above & Beyond Teaching’s Board of Advisors. They will also participate in the organization’s Teacher Leadership Academy and the Annual Educational Symposium, which address pressing issues in California education, and provide mentorship and professional development to early-career educators across the state.

About Above & Beyond Teaching

Above & Beyond Teaching is a nonprofit public charity dedicated to ensuring educational equity and excellence in California public high schools. Its mission is to guarantee that all students receive a high-quality education and that teachers have the support they need to thrive in the classroom.

For more information, visit AboveBeyond.org or contact Dr. Beverly Young, Executive Director, at (714) 683-6822 or [email protected].