The eighth annual A Salute to Teachers gala on will be livestreamed for the first time, at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, allowing the community to participate from the safety and comfort of their homes while a small group of honorees and sponsors gathers for the ceremony at the Music Academy of the West.
Virtual attendees may watch via s.sbceo.org/salutestream or tinyurl.com/salutesb and participate in the live chat cheering section.
Sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) and in partnership with Cox Communications and other organizations across Santa Barbara County, this event recognizes 10 outstanding educators.
“Celebrating A Salute to Teachers via livestream allows a wider audience to support and honor the energy and inspiration these educators offer in their classrooms each day,” said county Schools Superintendent Susan Salcido.
A Salute to Teachers will recognize the following individuals:
2022 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year Alisyn Blanton: Miguelito Elementary/Lompoc Unified School District
2021 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year Frank Koroshec: San Marcos High School/Santa Barbara Unified School District
2022 Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year Josie Coburn: Orcutt Academy High School/Orcutt Union School District
2021 Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year Elizabeth Caruso: Monroe Elementary School/Santa Barbara Unified School District
2021-22 Distinguished Mentors
Lorena Armstrong: Mary Buren Elementary/Guadalupe Union School District
Riccardo Magni: Pioneer Valley High School/Santa Maria Joint Union High School District
Melissa Woods: Dos Pueblos High School/Santa Barbara Unified School District
2021-22 Distinguished Mentors
Samantha Ayala: La Honda STEAM Academy/Lompoc Unified School District
TJ Berry: Santa Ynez Valley Union High School/Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District
Christina Peña Eckert: Carpinteria Middle School/Carpinteria Unified School District
SBCEO thanks the following event sponsors:
Founding Sponsor: Cox Communications
Valedictorian Sponsors: Fielding Graduate University, Montecito Bank & Trust, Noozhawk, Santa Barbara Bowl, and Santa Barbara City College Foundation.
Salutatorian Sponsor: Southwest Airlines
Honor Roll Sponsors: Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, Griffith and Thornburgh, Melfred Borzall, Santa Barbara Teachers Federal Credit Union, and Seasons Catering.
Teachers Pet Sponsors: California State University Channel Islands, Crushcakes, Island Brewing Company, Patagonia, Rancho Sisquoc Winery, Santa Barbara Gift Baskets, Southern California Edison, StonePark Capital, United Way of Santa Barbara, and Yellow Belly.
For more about the awards or the event, visit www.sbceo.org/salute, or contact Steve Keithley, director of Teacher Programs, 805-964-4710, ext. 5281. For more about the Teacher Induction Program, visit www.sbceo.org/tip, or contact John Merritt, director, Teacher Induction Program, 805-964-4710, ext. 5428.