LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Dr. Raul Carranza was nominated by an anonymous colleague.

Dr. Carranza has dedicated over 25 years to the South Central Los Angeles community, including the students and their parents. Dr. Carranza believes that achieving excellence can only be done through equity and access for every student. He does this work because he is passionate about giving every child the opportunity to reach their full potential and never feel limited by their circumstances, environment, or disabilities. He leads with passion and courage, and he makes every single decision based on what is in the best interest of students.

Dr. Carranza believes educational equity means that each child receives what he or she needs to develop his or her full academic and social potential. Under his tenure, he has assured that every student takes the PSAT and SAT, established community partnerships with USC- Vertibi School of Engineering, MALDEF, and Girls Build LA, and achieve a 90% college acceptance rate at the high school. This was all possible because of his tireless education and leadership, and his close work with principals, assistant principals, teachers, students, and the community. 

Dr. Carranza is a transformational servant-leader who is always leading by example and is never too busy to be a mentor to anyone. He is committed to producing a nurturing atmosphere in his organization because his leadership is about making others better as a result of his presence and making sure that impact lasts in his absence. Dr. Carranza believes it is everyone's responsibility to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of every student.

"Dr. Carranza is loved and admired by all stakeholders in his organization and deserves to be recognized for all his dedication to public education and students," said his nominator. "TEACH Public Schools in Los Angeles would not be the great charter school organization it is without his leadership."