Josie Coburn, a music and band teacher at Orcutt Union School District, has been selected as the 2022 Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year by the Santa Barbara County Education Office.
Coburn, who has taught in the Orcutt Union School District (OUSD) for more than eight years, was chosen for her passion for music education and her impact throughout the district, teaching at five different schools, serving elementary to high school students.
Coburn has inspired her students in numerous ways, including fostering their desire to pursue music instruction as a career.
“[Coburn] is so willing to work harder than anyone, stay longer than anyone, and go the extra mile. And when you see her do that, it makes you want to be better and be like her. She is one of the best examples I’ve ever had,” said Trenton Kozel, Orcutt Academy High School Band drum major (2018-19), who plans to be a band teacher.
“SBCEO is honored to recognize Ms. Coburn for inspiring her students through music and band. The arts are essential, and Ms. Coburn and her students prove that every day through music,” said Susan Salcido, Santa Barbara County superintendent of schools.
“We are grateful for our partnership with the Santa Barbara Bowl, which continues to prioritize education through sponsorships like the Performing Arts Teacher of the Year Award,” Salcido said.
The award program is a partnership between the Santa Barbara County Education Office and the Santa Barbara Bowl through the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation Education Outreach, which is dedicated to supporting performing arts education in the community.
“The Santa Barbara Bowl works hand in hand with many organizations to help enrich the lives of our community,” added Rick Boller, the Bowl Foundation’s executive director.
“We are thrilled to honor incredible teachers like Josie Coburn with support programs like the Instrument Fund, Community Ticket Subsidy’s and annual grants, which provide access for all to the amazing world of performing arts,” Boller said.
“Josie encourages creativity and is regarded by her students as someone willing to brainstorm ideas with them for new and exciting solos, riffs, and performances,” said Holly Edds, superintendent of Orcutt Union School District.
“Under Josie’s direction, the Orcutt Union School District band program has tripled in size, and the Orcutt Academy High School Band has quadrupled in size, and both have become points of pride in our community.”
“Santa Barbara Bowl Outreach is dedicated to ensuring all students have access to the arts. Josie’s continued dedication to the future artists of the world is inspiring for the entire Santa Barbara community,” said Karen Kerns, chair of the outreach committee.
Coburn teaches band at Orcutt Academy High School, Orcutt Junior High School, and Lakeview Junior High School. She also teaches classroom music and band at Joe Nightingale Elementary School and Patterson Road Elementary School.
She and other award-winning educators from Santa Barbara County will be formally recognized at the Nov. 6 A Salute to Teachers event.