Jefferson Award Winner Inspires Students Running For Change

MILL VALLEY (KPIX 5) A group of North Bay students weren't coming to school, and if they did, they were late and didn't pay much attention in class. But this week's Jefferson Award winner changed everything.

Teacher Isaias Franco needed a way to inspire his at-risk students at Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley.

"If these students were going to change around their lives, we'd have to do something really amazing," Franco remembered thinking.

Then he had an idea: they would train to run a half-marathon.

"We don't need any equipment, it's free," he said. "Anyone can do it."

None of them were avid runners. Not even Franco himself. But he got results: 24% rise in the class' GPA and a 15% drop in truancy.

"Never in a million years did I think I'd be doing something like this," he said later.

As he and his students trained three times week for an hour and a half, they found themselves living up to their group name: Running 4 Change. Students developed responsibility on and off the track. They developed teamwork, and felt more connected with their school. All six students that first year finished a half marathon in San Diego in June.

That included student Susie Kim, who almost gave up.

"Nothing's impossible," she said when KPIX asked her on the school track. "As long as you keep it up, try not to give up."

Student James Bartunek is learning discipline.

"It's first time I've had a 4.0!" he said proudly.

This year, Franco has set the goal even higher: the group will run a half marathon in the United Kingdom next June.

And this time, Lucy Mutunga is among 12 students, running for personal change:

"Be courageous and trust ourselves and build our confidence," she said in explaining the team goals.

Paraeducator Meredith Bransfield helps train the runners and calls Franco their role model.

"He dreams bigger than anyone I've seen and he follows through," she said. "If he says something, he means it. He's going to do it."

And the man they call Mr. Franco learns lessons, too.

"Regardless of a child's circumstance, that they can be an amazing student, an amazing person," Franco explained. "They're really my heroes, the kids."

So for teaching his students that nothing is impossible, this week's Jefferson Award in the Bay Area goes to Isaias Franco.

Running 4 Change is trying to raise $50,000 for the trip, from registration fees to airplane and hotel. To support the group, use this link.