Chemistry teacher Katie Pointer was presented with Laguna Blanca’s 2022 Faculty Excellence Award at the Upper School Awards Ceremony in June.
Voted on by a committee of colleagues in each division, including past award recipients, the award is given annually to a teacher who demonstrates both excellence in teaching and dedication to Laguna Blanca School and its students.
Embodying each of Laguna’s four core values of Scholarship, Character, Balance and Community, Pointer inspires students and colleagues alike. Her dedication to her craft and her genuine commitment to cultivating healthy, caring relationships with her students is evident both inside the classroom and out, the school said.
Students feel confident, capable, and successful in her science program as Pointer is able to take what is abstract and make it relatable. She is a master of individualizing student learning and prioritizes their skill development while conducting college-level work in the lab, Laguna Blanca said.
“Katie designs units, tests, and formative assessments that continue to be referenced as life-changing by current students and alum,” said Melissa Alkire, head of Upper School.
“She is firm but flexible and never hesitates to share her time with her students, whether that be by running extra study sessions on nights and weekends or rarely missing an opportunity to cheer on our Owls at a sporting event,” Alkire said.
“Always the first to chaperone school dances and trips, she loves spending time with the students and her colleagues love her special ability to wrangle students and keep everyone on task,” she said.
Colleagues describe Pointer as a “thought partner,” team player, loyal friend, and a leading voice in Laguna’s faculty, who sees what others miss and provides great insight and support when her colleagues explore new ideas. “Katie tirelessly gives to Laguna with her full heart,” Alkire said.
Selected by the Class of 2022 to give the graduation address at the 88th Commencement Ceremony, Pointer delivered remarks that spoke to her devotion to her students.
“You are enough,” she said. “How do I know this? Because I know you and I love you. And let me be very clear about what I mean by this: I do feel affection for you, but I also respect you, trust you, and am committed and responsible to you.”
Pointer joined Laguna’s science faculty in 2005 after completing her masters of education and receiving her Secondary Science Teaching Credential from UCSB. Her past teaching assignments have been at Santa Barbara High School in chemistry and Excel classrooms, and Westmont College, where she worked as a Chemistry Department teacher’s assistant and lab coordinator.
A Summa Cum Laude graduate from Westmont in chemistry, pointer received numerous honors as an undergraduate, including the College’s Outstanding Graduate in Chemistry recognition and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society induction.
She has also received a Knowles Science Teaching Fellowship, which afforded her the opportunity to work with other physics and chemistry teachers nationwide to further develop their teaching.
Thanks to an endowment established by alumni parents Steven and Marilyn Gutsche, recipients of Laguna Blanca’s Faculty Excellence Award receive a cash award and a $3,000 stipend for travel, workshops, equipment, and teaching materials.
For about Laguna Blanca’s programs, call 805-687-2461 or visit lagunablanca.org.