Carl Finer is in his 20th year teaching middle school in South Los Angeles. Serving at Animo Jefferson Charter Middle School since 2011, he has built a nationally recognized journalism program (visit www.bulldogbugle.com) and helped guide over 150 students to complete the Los Angeles Marathon as a volunteer coach with Students Run LA. He also teaches eighth grade English and co-leads his school’s advisory program. A UCLA Writing Project fellow, he has bylines in publications such as Zocalo Public Square, Runner’s World, Education Week, Chalkbeat, and The Imprint.