[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?”
Billy Silvola: For me, teaching was a midlife career change. I’ve worked at the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill in a former life, spent several years working in social services, working with adults with developmental disabilities at Work Training Programs Inc. (now PathPoint) in the tri-counties region, and have always been drawn to serving and supporting those who might need just a little extra help to make things work.
I never aspired to be a millionaire but have always wanted a career that made me feel rich on the inside. Thanks to my Catholic mom for that!
When adult vocational and living programs in California consistently experienced budget cuts and funding challenges in the late 1990s/early 2000s, I decided to transition from adults to school-age students because the powers that be wouldn’t shortchange children, right?
I was approached about an opportunity in the Santa Ynez Valley for a school special education program, the Santa Ynez Valley Special Education Consortium, and was there in the beginning when it began in 2005, through its duration, and eventual disbandment last year.
I’ve always known I want to help others where I can, to be of service, to support others, but I didn’t know I wanted to be a teacher … until I wanted to teach.
Noozhawk: How long have you been teaching?
BS: This is year 22 at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite subject or lesson plan to teach your students?
BS: Personally, I love algebra 1, U.S. government and U.S. history, though some of my most rewarding lessons have been in business math and economics.
Students are hungry to know more about financial literacy — learning about credit cards, loans, buying houses and cars, and even investing in their futures.
The best lessons I’ve had over the years are actually “accidental” conversations in which the lesson plan pauses and young adult students inquire about the real world, wondering how the material in high school will directly benefit them when they have families of their own.
Often, students go home and have discussions afterward with their parents and report back that even their parents wish they had more exposure to this type of material “back in their day.”
Noozhawk: What’s your classroom superpower — and how did you develop it?
BS: Patience, maintaining balance and an even keel. Letting students know that I believe each day is a brand new chance to start again, either to improve, fix or build on our past experiences.
Whenever I’m stern in class, it’s intentional and for effect (and students know if you’re genuine or not). At times, I let students know that those tough conversations are out of respect, because they need to hear the truth and that dialogue needs to be real.
It’s objective, caring, compassionate, but if either of us is not at our best on a certain day, we need to hold each other accountable, or at least be open enough to realize that some days we’re just trying to do our best to move forward however we can. And that’s OK.
Noozhawk: Share a student success story that stays with you (no names needed).
BS: I feel a sense of pride in living in a small community like the Santa Ynez Valley and seeing former students at all manner of events or in town running errands, starting their own families, etc.
What makes me happiest is that my students generally seem glad to see me and talk for a bit, and I feel the same way.
It is tremendously satisfying to know that these high school students grow to be contributors to our community, or even remember something I said or a time we shared in class that still sticks with us as valuable.
These moments are always great reminders that what we do as teachers can have a lasting and important impact that can last a lifetime. It also reminds me of the important responsibility of being a teacher.
Noozhawk: What’s one change you made this year — tool, routine or strategy — that moved the needle?
BS: This year has been unlike any other I have had in my life. It’s not a strategy but more of a mindset.
I’m running for Buellton City Council and this is something that, until very recently, I would never have considered doing. (As of Nov. 4, Silvola is leading in early returns.)
My students seem genuinely enthusiastic and supportive, noting they’ve seen my yard signs or heard some adults talking.
It’s hard to say if it “moves a needle,” but I often tell my students that it’s important to challenge ourselves to learn and grow, to take chances and try new things, to contribute and certainly step outside our comfort zones to see what’s possible.
Might as well lead by example, right?
It’s been challenging, stressful at times, certainly rewarding, but a chance also for students to see teachers and adults as just regular human beings, with our share of day-to-day stuff also.
I find that high school students trust, respect and are willing to share with us when we’re real, and don’t try to pretend to be an authority on all things.
I believe it’s important to let our students know when we’re wrong (where relevant) and how learning and growing as humans doesn’t stop with a diploma.
Noozhawk: What advice would you give your first-year teacher self?
BS: The advice I give ALL first-year teachers, and still try to remember myself, is that it’s a marathon and not a sprint.
We all want to give perfect lessons, stellar reports, fantastic projects, etc., but it’s also important to know that Plan B is what gets you through the tough days, not the perfect lesson.
Our mindset as teachers as a rule is to be exceptional, so trying to build excellence isn’t the problem. The challenge is dealing with stuff when things sometimes go sideways, and in special education we are nothing if not flexible.
When the days are tough, come in again tomorrow and start fresh. Every day. And give students that same courtesy to start each new day as a fresh start as well.
Noozhawk: Who are your mentors?
BS: I’ve had several mentors in all areas of my life. We all need guidance from those who have been there and done that. It’s always important to ask for help when needed and to listen and act on sage advice.
Dr. Wally Olsen (started SYVSEC, original director), Claudia Echavarria (SYVSEC director for the longest tenure) and Jennifer Connolly (current special education director at Santa Ynez High) have all been instrumental in my own development as a teacher.
Each of these mentors are so professional, ethical, student-centered, and are able to balance responsibilities and stressors with grace and class. Even on the toughest days they show up and remind me that if we keep putting one foot in front of the other, we’ll figure it out.
And I would be lying if I didn’t mention my wife and boys. They see this mentor on his best and worst days and still guide me to keep going, do what I do, and be who I am. Unconditional love and safe harbor. One step above mentorship … family.
Noozhawk: Who are the people in your life and work environment who support you every day?
BS: As a special education teacher, a great part of my school day is co-teaching with my general education colleagues. I have always been treated as an equal, a professional, and someone who doesn’t just guide resource students, but who collaborates to support and assist ALL students.
My co-teaching colleagues and fellow department team, and the outstanding and supporting administrators at SYVUHS, inspire me to give my best in serving our kids. I am fortunate to work with, and continue to learn from, Susie Rodriguez and Suzzanne Phipps, who have taught math (and me) for years.
Co-teaching is a relationship and I’ve been fortunate enough to share so many classes with these professionals who are willing to put up with my flaws and blindspots on an annual basis.
Sue Noyes is my department chair and she has been a willing shield to protect us when demands become tough, or willing to take care of some responsibilities to help lighten our burden.
And of course our administrators have openly embraced and support our special education department positively and proactively.
Our superintendent, Dr. Kim Sheehan, and Principal Tori Martinez show true servant leadership and demonstrate a “we’re in this together” spirit rather than disappearing behind a desk.
Along with Jennifer Connolly, they let their actions speak for themselves when it comes to supporting staff.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite quote?
BS: My favorite movie of all time is, It’s A Wonderful Life. I’ve seen it at least a hundred times and I probably cry every time (or maybe it’s allergies).
I often believe in some ways I am George Bailey or see his character in myself. A couple of the lines that ALWAYS get me are:
“A toast to my big brother, George. The richest man in town!”
“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
“No man is a failure who has friends.”
Noozhawk: How does it feel to be honored as part of A Salute to Teachers?
BS: Humbling, grateful, proud, but at the same time it feels a bit unwarranted.
This award is due to the passion of my candidate, Sharon Gallagher, who is a lifelong learner, a positive force for kindness and inspiration, and someone whose letter to the Santa Barbara County Education Office was probably more than I deserved.
She embodies a can-do and will-do attitude, a constant willingness to help and think of others, and a reminder that a mentor-mentee relationship is a rewarding learning experience for all involved.
