October 8, 2004

EVHS teacher earns 'Internet Innovator Award'

Gifts his $10,000 award to Evergreen Valley

By Bea Baechle
Special to the Times

Mark Gross did what many of us only dream of doing. He snagged his financial security in technology and decided to give back to the world by inspiring high school students with his energy, his ingenuity and his technical know-how.

With just one year of teaching social studies at Evergreen Valley High School under his belt, Gross' honest desire to make a difference was caught on the radar screen of National Semiconductor's Foundation, which gives away about $2,000,000 annually, mostly to education.

National Semicon-ductor's CFO Lewis Chew presents Gross with a $10,000 award for being an "Internet Innovator."

So Lewis Chew, chief financial officer of National Semiconductor, came to EVHS on Oct. 6 to present Gross with an "Internet Innovator Award" and a $10,000 check to spend as he pleased. Gross was one of seven Bay Area teachers to receive this honor.

Chew also presented EVHS Principal Tim McDonough with a plaque and a $4,000 check to spend on educational programs.

Gross accepted the huge check and joked, "Does this fit into an ATM?"

"I'm amazed, I'm surprised and I'm overwhelmed," continued Gross before the crowd of his students, past and present, as well as representatives from the district and government liaisons from the offices of Councilmember Dave Cortese, Assemblymember Simone Salinas and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren.

He thanked National Semiconductor for the honor and immediately expressed his gratitude to Associate Principal Dennis Barbata and his technical guys, Nate Takarabe and Nubal Vidal. "You've got to understand, in our school, there's something like 2,000 computers and three guys who are responsible for them. So it's pretty much a miracle that every day we go to boot up, everything actually works. Without that, we would have nothing."

He then thanked his class from last year for putting up with him and all of his crazy ideas. "But most of all, I want to pay tribute to an idea, because it's really an idea that's at the center of all this. And it's the idea that Evergreen Valley High School was founded on, and it's the reason I drive 100 miles every day to come here."

"The idea is that a collaborative team of teachers, parents and a single student is what it's really all about. A successful school is about people working together for one student at a time. It's not about helping an ethnic group or segment. I don't teach ethnic groups or segments. I teach people."

At that point, Gross announced that he wanted to donate his $10,000 award back to the school. His students gasped and yelled, "No, Mr. Gross. You keep it. You deserve it," to no avail.

"You can have this money if you spend it this way," said Gross to McDonough. First he gifted $500 each to the technical guys, "for all that they do for everybody in the school."

He then donated $1,000 to the charity that supplies computers for families in need, enabling five families to get their own computers and connectivity.

Next he earmarked $2,000 to buy video cameras for student use. Another $2007 went to a party for the class of 2007, which will include his first-year students. He donated the remaining sum [after taxes] to buy free ice cream for the students when appropriate.

National Semiconductor's Chew commented, "I can't believe that you're going to give your money away, but I respect that." He promised to speak with his IT group to match Gross' effort to support five families in need with a computer.

Superintendent Esperanza Zendejas said, "Having worked in education for close to 30 years, it's a privilege and an honor to meet real teachers. They don't have any private or personal agenda other than to educate, and to model and do their best."

She anticipates this is just the first of many honors that Gross will receive, because she sees his dedication and desire to integrate education and technology to solve real life issues. "Evergreen ought to be very proud to have a National Semiconductor winner," added Zendejas.

"Mr. Gross is the best teacher. He's what all contemporary teachers should be like."

-Daniel Martinez

"Mark Gross and his students from 2003-04 used creativity and technology to reach out to others. Their project provided an extension of the classroom and curriculum, adding meaning for Mr. Gross and his students as well as those outside of the school who communicated with them. Mr. Gross used his initiative, creativity and technical know-how to involve his students. His students will tell you what a 'wonderful crazy' he is."

-EVHS Principal Tim McDonough

"Mr. Gross has a great influence on all the students and he's one teacher we really like."

-Andrew Mam

"He was a great teacher and had a lot of creative ideas."

-Kyle Aganad

"He changed all of our lives."

-Steven Leung

"He's one of the best teachers I've ever had."

-Carmen Nguyen

"He started the idea of 'Outside My World,' he funded it and he's the reason it's possible."

-Lilea Eshoo

"He expanded our view of the world we live in."

-Timothy Quam