[Noozhawk’s note: One in a series on the teachers who will be honored Nov. 7 at A Salute to Teachers, presented by the Santa Barbara County Education Office.]
Eight public school educators will be recognized Nov. 7 at the 13th annual Salute to Teachers, an event hosted by the Santa Barbara County Education Office at the Music Academy of the West in Montecito.
Alejandra Navarro — an El Camino Elementary School first-grade Dual Language Immersion teacher in the Goleta Union School District — is the 2027 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year.
Selyn Barrette Harwin — a drama teacher at Pioneer Valley High School in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District — will be recognized as the 2027 Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year.
The 2027 distinguished mentors to be recognized are Cold Spring School kindergarten teacher Becki Naranjo-Gonzales in the Cold Spring School District in Montecito, Lompoc Valley Middle School teacher Savannah Schindele in the Lompoc Unified School District, and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School teacher Billy Silvola in the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School School District.
The 2027 distinguished new educators to be honored are Pioneer Valley High teacher Laurie Geronimo and Fairlawn School second-grade teacher Wendy Marin and Battles School kindergarten teacher Stephanie Rosas, both in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District.
In addition to the Santa Barbara County Education Office, Salute to Teachers is sponsored by Noozhawk, Chevron, Driscoll’s, Melfred Borzall, Ramsey Asphalt Construction and the Santa Barbara Bowl.
Noozhawk Q&A
Noozhawk: What was the moment you knew, “I want to be a teacher?”
Wendy Marin: I don’t think there was just one moment. My desire to become a teacher grew from my own experiences as a student and the many years I spent working alongside children and families.
Growing up, I faced challenges in school, especially as a student learning English. I remember what it felt like to be the new girl, to struggle academically, and to not always have the words to express what I knew.
Those experiences stayed with me.
As I began working in education, I realized that I wanted to be the teacher I once needed. I wanted to create a classroom where students felt safe, understood and encouraged, regardless of their language, background or challenges.
Becoming a teacher was not an easy journey. It took me 15 years to earn my teaching credential, but every challenge along the way strengthened my purpose.
Today, when I look at my students, I see parts of my own story in them, and I know I am exactly where I am meant to be.
Noozhawk: How long have you been teaching?
WM: I am currently in my fourth year as a classroom teacher, but my journey in education began long before.
My passion for teaching started when I was 15 years old, volunteering as a Sunday school teacher. What began as an opportunity to work with children eventually grew into a leadership role overseeing our children’s Sunday school program.
Those early experiences helped me discover my love for teaching, mentoring and making a difference in the lives of children.
Professionally, my journey in education began nearly two decades ago with the Santa Maria-Bonita School District.
Throughout those years, I have had the opportunity to serve in many different roles, including food service, community liaison, school office staff, instructional assistant, and eventually classroom teacher.
Each role gave me a different perspective on education and taught me the importance of building meaningful relationships with students, families and our school community.
I previously taught transitional kindergarten and am now teaching second grade. I also have the privilege of teaching adult learners at Allan Hancock College, where I help prepare future instructional aides and educators.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite subject or lesson plan to teach your students?
WM: One of my favorite areas is literacy, especially vocabulary development and English language development (ELD).
As someone who experienced the challenges of learning English, I understand how powerful it is when students begin to find their voices. I love creating lessons that combine visuals, gestures, movement, conversations and real-life connections to help students understand new words and ideas.
My experience teaching transitional kindergarten taught me so much about the different ways children learn. I discovered how powerful hands-on experiences, movement, play and meaningful interactions can be in helping students develop language and build understanding.
As a kinesthetic learner myself, I naturally connect with these approaches because I know how much easier learning can become when we are actively engaged.
As a second-grade teacher, I have been able to bring those same strategies into my classroom, especially when teaching English language development.
I enjoy finding creative ways to make learning vocabulary and language skills fun, interactive and meaningful. Whether students are acting out vocabulary words, using gestures to remember their meanings, or practicing new language through partner conversations, I love watching them become active participants in their own learning.
Some of my favorite moments happen when a student who was once hesitant to participate begins using new vocabulary, sharing ideas with a partner or confidently explaining their thinking.
Literacy is not just about learning to read and write. It is about giving children the confidence and language to express themselves, make connections and feel empowered as learners.
Noozhawk: What’s your classroom superpower — and how did you develop it?
WM: Building relationships and seeing the potential in students, even when they may not see it in themselves.
I have always believed that before children can truly learn, they need to feel safe, loved, respected and understood. I make it a priority to learn who my students are beyond their academic abilities, including their personalities, cultures, strengths and challenges.
I developed this superpower through my own childhood experiences, my years working with families, and my journey as a mother and educator.
I know what it feels like to struggle, to need encouragement, and to have someone believe in you. I try to be that person for my students every single day.
Noozhawk: Share a student success story that stays with you (no names needed).
WM: One of the most impactful experiences in my teaching journey has been working with a student with autism for the very first time. Little did I know how much this student would teach me about patience, love and the incredible abilities of children with special needs.
This experience opened my eyes to a whole new world of learning and ignited a passion for special education that I never knew I had.
I still remember her first day of school. She walked into my classroom unfamiliar with what school was, what to expect or how to follow a classroom routine.
In the beginning, I wondered how much of what I was teaching she would understand or remember. But with patience, consistency, love and lessons adapted to meet her individual needs, I began witnessing the most incredible growth.
Today, seeing her follow classroom routines, participate in lessons and complete assignments independently brings me so much joy.
Things that may seem like small accomplishments to others are extraordinary milestones for her, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of that journey.
What makes this experience so special is that while I was teaching her, she was also teaching me. She reminded me that every child is capable of learning, even if their journey looks different from others.
Sometimes we just have to find the right way to reach them, believe in their abilities, and give them the time they need to shine.
Her growth has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career and a beautiful reminder of why I became a teacher.
Noozhawk: What’s one change you made this year — tool, routine or strategy — that moved the needle?
WM: Becoming more intentional about supporting my multilingual learners through structured language development.
In my second-grade classroom, I have incorporated consistent vocabulary routines that include visuals, gestures, sentence frames, partner conversations and opportunities for students to practice speaking before writing.
I have also focused on creating small-group learning opportunities that allow me to provide more individualized instruction based on students’ language and academic needs.
These routines have helped create more opportunities for students to participate, practice academic language and build confidence.
My goal is to make learning accessible without lowering expectations. I want every student, regardless of their English proficiency, to feel capable of engaging in meaningful academic work.
Noozhawk: What advice would you give your first-year teacher self?
WM: To give myself grace and remember that I don’t have to have everything figured out.
Teaching is a profession in which we are constantly learning, reflecting and growing. There will be difficult days, lessons that don’t go as planned, and moments when we question whether we are doing enough.
I would remind myself that relationships matter more than perfection, that asking for help is a strength, and that even the smallest moments can make a lasting difference in a child’s life.
Most important, I would tell myself to remember why I started. The journey to becoming a teacher was not easy, but every challenge prepared me for this purpose.
Noozhawk: Who are your mentors?
WM: Caitlin Abshire, a teacher on special assignment (TOSA) for mentoring and support in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, and Fairlawn School site coach Amanda Wildhagen.
Noozhawk: Who are the people in your life and work environment who support you every day?
MW: My greatest support system is my family. My husband and our four sons have been part of every chapter of my journey.
Becoming a teacher while raising a family and navigating personal challenges required patience, sacrifice and perseverance. Their love and encouragement helped me keep going, even during the most difficult seasons.
My parents have always been a source of strength and inspiration. As a first-generation college graduate, I will never forget the pride on their faces when I earned my degree. That moment represented not only my accomplishment but also their sacrifices and dreams for my future.
I am equally grateful for my siblings, with whom I have shared so many of life’s challenges and milestones, and for my in-laws, who have supported and encouraged me along the way.
I especially want to recognize my older sister, Maria Miramontes, who has been like a second mother to me. She has been one of my biggest cheerleaders, a mentor, and someone I have always been able to count on. Her love, guidance and unwavering belief in me have meant more than words can express.
I am also forever grateful to every family member and friend who helped care for my children so I could attend classes, study and complete assignments.
Whether it was watching my children for a few hours or simply offering words of encouragement when I felt overwhelmed, every act of kindness made a difference.
I could not have reached this milestone without them.
Throughout my professional journey, I have also had the privilege of learning from many wonderful educators and leaders.
A special thank you goes to Amanda Wildhagen and Caitlin Abshire, who have patiently mentored, encouraged and guided me over the past four years.
I am equally thankful for the administrators I have worked with throughout my career. Each has contributed to my growth in different ways, sharing their knowledge, challenging me and helping shape the educator I am today.
I am also grateful for my colleagues and the amazing team at Fairlawn Elementary, who continue to inspire and support me every day.
When I look back at everything it took to get here, I am reminded that this journey was never mine alone. So many people gave their time, love, patience and encouragement to help me reach my dream.
Although I am the one receiving this recognition, I carry a piece of each of them with me. This honor is as much theirs as it is mine.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite quote?
WM: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feell,” which is commonly attributed to Maya Angelou.
This quote speaks to my heart because I believe that long after students leave my classroom, they may not remember every lesson I taught, but I hope they always remember how I made them feel.
I want every child to feel loved, respected, valued and, most important, that they belong.
Noozhawk: How does it feel to be honored as part of A Salute to Teachers?
WM: I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this recognition, especially because it is something I never imagined would happen to me.
Everything I do comes from a genuine passion for teaching, serving my community, and making a difference in the lives of children and families.
I have always believed that teaching goes far beyond the classroom. It is about building relationships, connecting with families, creating a sense of belonging, and helping children recognize their own potential.
These are the things that bring me the greatest joy and fulfillment as an educator.
To be recognized for something I truly love doing was such an unexpected and wonderful surprise. After everything it took to reach this point in my journey, this honor is an incredible reminder of how far I have come.
I never entered this profession expecting recognition, so receiving this award feels like an extra blessing in a career that has already given me so much.
More than anything, I am grateful for the opportunity to do what I love every day and to make even a small difference in the lives of those I serve. That, to me, will always be the greatest reward.