[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?”
Alejandra Navarro: During high school, I volunteered at the Boys & Girls Club, where I helped younger students with their homework. I often heard comments such as, “You’re a natural, you should be a teacher.”
At the time, I resisted the idea of pursuing a career in education. However, my passion for supporting students’ academic growth continued into college through my involvement with Cal-SOAP, a program that allowed me to continue guiding students on their educational journeys.
I found this work both enjoyable and deeply rewarding, and I realized that I was continually drawn back to education.
While attending UC Santa Barbara as an undergraduate, I began to understand that the encouragement I had received from others, combined with my own growing interest in the profession, reflected a natural alignment between my strengths and passions.
I enjoyed working with children, supporting their academic development and fostering a sense of belonging, which was something I had sometimes struggled to find in my own educational journey.
These experiences helped me recognize the meaningful impact educators can have on students’ lives and solidified my desire to become a teacher.
As a result, I applied to UCSB’s teacher credential program and was accepted, taking an important step toward a career in education.
Noozhawk: How long have you been teaching?
AN: 20 years.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite subject or lesson plan to teach your students?
AN: Math was one of my favorite subjects growing up, and it remains one of my favorite subjects to teach.
One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching math is witnessing the moment when an abstract concept finally clicks for a student. Seeing their faces light up with understanding and hearing them say, “Oh, I get it!” reminds me why I love teaching.
These moments of discovery are not only fulfilling, but reinforce my passion for helping students build confidence in their mathematical abilities.
Noozhawk: What’s your classroom superpower — and how did you develop it?
AN: My genuine enjoyment of the learning process.
First grade is a year filled with many firsts, as students develop foundational skills and build fluency in reading and writing. These skills take time, patience and consistent practice, and the process can sometimes feel slow or frustrating for young learners.
Having taught first grade for many years, I can reassure my students with confidence that every day they practice, they are making progress. I remind them that learning takes time, that they are capable of growth, and that with persistence, things will become easier.
One of my favorite ways to celebrate this growth is by saving the students’ first writing journals and returning them at the end of the school year. This gives students a tangible way to reflect on how far they have come and recognize the progress they may not have noticed along the way.
I love helping students see that learning is a journey, that mistakes are a natural part of the process, and that with time and effort, they can accomplish things they once thought were difficult.
Noozhawk: Share a student success story that stays with you (no names needed).
AN: While it may not be a traditional student success story, one interaction from a couple of years ago has stayed with me.
In our Dual Language program, we have students who are native Spanish speakers alongside students who enter the classroom with little to no Spanish experience.
One day, during free exploration time, I observed two boys working collaboratively to build a marble run maze. One spoke only Spanish, while the other spoke only English.
They came from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, yet they found a way to communicate, collaborate and work toward a shared goal. Using the words, gestures and other forms of communication available to them, they persisted together to make their marble run work.
Watching them reminded me that connection and collaboration can transcend language and cultural differences. They didn’t need to speak the same language to share an idea, solve a problem, or enjoy the process of creating something together.
That moment reinforced my belief in the importance of fostering a classroom environment where every student feels a sense of belonging and where differences are valued as strengths.
It was a beautiful reminder that, when given the opportunity, children can find meaningful ways to connect, learn from one another, and build relationships beyond the barriers that might initially seem to separate them.
Noozhawk: What’s one change you made this year — tool, routine or strategy — that moved the needle?
AN: The needs and dynamics of each class vary from year to year, so I’ve learned the importance of being responsive and adapting my approach to meet my students’ needs.
This year, my class has been particularly chatty and easily distracted, making clear expectations and consistent modeling essential to creating a productive learning environment.
While establishing expectations such as being safe, respectful and responsible is a good starting point, it is equally important to ensure students understand what those expectations look like in practice.
I explicitly model and reinforce these behaviors across different settings, whether we are learning in the classroom, playing at recess, completing assignments or interacting with peers.
By providing clear examples, consistent reminders and opportunities to practice, I help students develop a shared understanding of what it means to contribute to a safe, respectful and supportive classroom community.
Noozhawk: What advice would you give your first-year teacher self?
AN: First, I would say, “Congratulations! You’ve made a great decision.”
Teaching and education as a whole have changed significantly over the past 20 years, and the profession continues to evolve.
The challenges you encounter will vary from year to year, but the rewards of teaching make the journey worthwhile.
Your impact will extend beyond helping children develop foundational literacy skills. You will also have the opportunity to nurture their confidence, encourage their curiosity, and help them grow into compassionate, capable individuals who will make a positive difference in the world.
Never underestimate the lasting impact you can have on a child’s life, both inside and outside the classroom.
Noozhawk: Who are your mentors?
AN: During my student teaching, I had the privilege of being placed in the classrooms of two highly experienced and dedicated educators, Lorena Chavez and Julie Armstrong.
Both teachers held high expectations for their students and for me, challenging me to grow and develop as an educator.
Their mentorship helped shape my understanding of effective teaching and the importance of maintaining high standards while supporting students in reaching their full potential.
Beyond her role as a mentor, Lorena was also a strong Latina educator with whom I deeply identified. As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, I connected with her experiences and appreciated seeing someone whose background and journey resonated with my own.
In a meaningful full-circle moment, Lorena Chavez is now the principal of my school. It has been incredibly rewarding to work alongside her once again, this time as a colleague, and to witness firsthand the collaboration, commitment and collective effort that are essential to a thriving educational community.
Her journey and mentorship continue to remind me of the importance of representation, strong professional relationships, and the lasting impact educators can have on one another.
Noozhawk: Who are the people in your life and work environment who support you every day?
AN: I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside such amazing partner teachers throughout my career.
My current partner in crime is Maestro Garcia. Although he is a newer teacher on paper, he carries himself with the confidence, patience and dedication of a seasoned educator.
I have thoroughly enjoyed learning from his fresh perspective and innovative ideas. His enthusiasm and passion for teaching are contagious, and he brings a wonderful sense of energy and excitement to our collaboration.
My previous partner teacher, Stephanie Hernandez-Jarvis, was equally exceptional. She embodies kindness, patience and a wealth of knowledge, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside her.
Our school is also fortunate to have Maestra Paulina and Maestra Cynthia in the front office, helping keep everything running smoothly. Their hard work, organization and dedication are essential to the daily functioning of our school.
Ultimately, it is the collective effort of our teachers and support staff that makes our school such a welcoming, collaborative and rewarding place to work.
I truly believe that the people we work alongside have a tremendous impact on our professional growth and daily experiences, and I feel lucky to be part of such a supportive team.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite quote?
AN: “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” — Maya Angelou
Noozhawk: How does it feel to be honored as part of A Salute to Teachers?
AN: Throughout this process, I have realized that accepting compliments and recognizing my own accomplishments do not come naturally to me.
However, I am genuinely excited for the opportunity to highlight the incredible educators doing meaningful work throughout Santa Barbara County. It is an honor to help shine a light on the dedication, passion and impact of the teachers who make a difference in students’ lives every day.
I am especially proud to bring greater awareness to the exceptional Dual Language program in the Goleta Union School District and the outstanding programs in our neighboring districts.
I hope this opportunity will help showcase the value of bilingual education, celebrate the educators who make it possible, and highlight the lasting impact of creating learning environments where students can grow academically while embracing their language, culture and identity.
