On December 8, 2014, Keller Williams associate Juliana Lee was recognized for her $50,000 donation to Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE). Her donation went toward PiE's $225,000 challenge grant, which will be used to help public school students in K-12. The challenge grant serves to match donor's gifts, doubling their impact.

At the event, PiE President Asha Guha, PiE Executive Director Kathy Schroeder and Superintendent Glenn “Max” McGee gathered to receive Juliana's $50,000 donation to PiE.

"We have made some magic with your gift. What kind of magic?" asked Superintendent Glenn McGee, "We have turned this $50,000 into $100,000. On behalf of the 13,000 students and 3,000 staff members, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to you for your generosity."

PiE depends on the generosity of local families and businesses, like Lee. For the last three years, Lee has donated $50,000 to PiE. The funds provided by Lee and other donors go toward hiring additional art, music, and science teachers, classroom aides and counselors and adding more elective classes ranging from ceramics and other arts to the engineer sequences at Palo Alto high schools. “Many students can discover their lifelong interests through these electives, and the support provided by counselors and aides can make a real difference for our students," PiE Executive Director Kathy Schroeder said.

Juliana knows firsthand the value that elective courses can provide. Lee's daughter, Jade Lee, took up the violin and studied Mandarin classes in Walter Hays Elementary and Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School. Those courses exposed her daughter to subjects that go beyond the core curriculum, developing her communication skills and talents that she still uses today.

“For me, education provided the knowledge and credibility to succeed in selling real estate," Lee said. "I believe many people in our communities use our great public education to open the door to a better life."

Juliana enjoys continuing education and professional growth through tapping her resources at Keller Williams. Numerous educational sessions are offered throughout the year providing associates with the opportunity to learn and share knowledge with colleagues. “During the panel talks I attend, top Keller Williams associates share their experiences and stories of success,” said Lee, who has herself become one of the top-producing agents in the company.

______________________________

Like Lee, Keller Williams believes in the power of education. In February, 2014 Keller Williams was named the No. 2 training organization in the world by Training Magazine. “We’re an education-based, technology-driven company. This award reaffirms our commitment to providing our associates with the resources and training they need to grow their businesses,” CEO Mark Willis said.