About Carlston Family Foundation

The Carlston Family Foundation was formed in 1987 by the founders of Broderbund Software, an educational software company.

From 1987 to 1998 the mission of The Foundation was to support the volunteer efforts of Broderbund employees by making grants to social service and environmental non-profit organizations at which the employees worked as volunteers. Since its inception The Foundation has made hundreds of grants, totaling approximately $2,000,000, to support such organizations. When Broderbund was sold in 1998, the Foundation became independent.

Currently, the mission of the Carlston Family Foundation is to recognize and reward outstanding teachers in our public high schools, a continuation of the original goals of the Broderbund Foundation and its founders. Here are some direct quotes from students:

"Nobody in my family had gone to college, so I felt that it wouldn't matter if I didn't go either. Mr. Brandt served as a mentor and was a great part of my scholastic success during my high school and college years."

"I remember [Mr. Corigliano] finding scholarship opportunities, arranging field trips and offering life advice constantly. Personally I have won prizes in two separate essay contest...as a direct result of Mr. Corigliano's encouragement."

"I was into gangs a few years ago, and now I am attending honors math class with Mr. Dolin. I gave up the gangs and am shooting to go to college next year."

"I was lost as a teenager and could have gone down the hole..., but Mr. Soffiotto had faith in me and every time I was tempted I would go to him. I am now an engineering student at San Jose State due to him."

"I had problems at home because my mom was struggling financially...and my father was in Mexico. I did graduate from high school with lots of help from Mrs. [Grace] Patino. It took me six years to get my BA. I am now teaching at an elementary school here in Watsonville....I owe all of this to the help and encouragement I received from Mrs. Patino."

These remarks are typical of the comments the Carlston Family Foundation received from former students of our Outstanding Teacher Award recipients.  We applaud these teachers in their persistence and dedication to making the educational process work for their students, so they can move forward to plan and reach goals they hadn't dreamed of before. We encourage former California public high school students to participate in next year's nominating process. Nominate your outstanding teacher!