[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?”
Becki Naranjo-Gonzales: During my college years, I spent much of my time volunteering with children through various nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara.
I always loved working with children but I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.
A family friend encouraged me to apply for a position as a classroom aide in a kindergarten/first grade combination classroom at Summerland School. It was there that I truly fell in love with working with children and knew I had found my calling.
There was something so special about watching a child’s face light up when they made a connection, understood something for the first time, or realized that something they once thought was too difficult was actually within their reach.
Being part of these moments made me realize that teaching was what I wanted to do.
I was also incredibly fortunate to work alongside wonderful mentors. I was eager to learn everything I could, and they generously shared their knowledge and experience with me.
They not only modeled what it meant to be a great teacher but also helped me understand that every child learns differently and the importance of adapting instruction to meet each child’s individual needs.
Noozhawk: How long have you been teaching?
BN-G: I have been teaching for 24 years, and my passion for teaching has only grown stronger over the years.
Teaching is so much more than a job to me. I have Post-it notes scattered throughout my house, and I often find myself waking up in the middle of the night to jot down an idea for a lesson or a different way to help a student.
I’ve always believed that when a child is struggling to understand something, it’s my responsibility to find another way to teach it. Every child learns differently and it sometimes takes a little more creativity and a different approach to help my students.
There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a student discover what they’re capable of and begin to believe in themselves.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite subject or lesson plan to teach your students?
BN-G: Hands down, writing! I truly believe that every child has a great story to tell, and my job is to help them discover their voice and realize that their ideas are worth sharing.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to receive wonderful training in teaching writing. I’ve learned so many creative and hands-on strategies to support students at every stage of their development. These strategies are not mine but have been shared by fellow educators across the nation.
One of my favorite tools is something as simple as a Post-it note. We use them to plan our stories, organize our ideas, and think about the little details that make our writing come alive.
I love that they take away some of the pressure of writing. If a child wants to change something, we simply move a Post-it, toss it out, or grab a new one.
There’s no need for endless erasing or worrying about getting everything right the first time. We can focus on the ideas and the joy of telling a story.
My favorite part of Writers Workshop is listening to my students share their ideas and asking them questions that gets them to think a little deeper and add more detail.
You’ll often hear me say, “That’s a great idea!” or “I love that detail! Let’s add that to your story!” I want my students to feel excited about their writing and proud of what they have to share.
I introduce the genre of writing but the students have the freedom to choose what they want to write about. That choice is so important because their stories come from their own experiences and interests, and this makes the writing more meaningful.
There’s something incredibly special about watching a young child begin to see themselves as a writer. My hope is that every student leaves my classroom knowing that their voice matters, their ideas have value, and they have wonderful stories worth sharing.
Noozhawk: What’s your classroom superpower — and how did you develop it?
BN-G: Finding ways to reach each and every one of my students. I truly believe that every child can learn and be successful, but not every child learns in the same way or at the same pace.
I love the challenge of figuring out what works best for each child and finding different ways to help them understand something that might be difficult for them.
There is nothing better than watching a child’s face light up when something finally clicks, especially when it’s something they have been struggling with.
I want my students to know that I believe in them, that I am proud of their efforts, and that I will be right there beside them helping and encouraging them along the way.
I have been so fortunate to learn from some amazing teachers and mentors who have helped me understand the importance of individualizing instruction. I’ve learned to look closely at what my students need, try different approaches, and not be afraid to change something when it isn’t working.
One of the things I love most about teaching is that no two years are ever the same. Every year brings a new group of children with different personalities, strengths and challenges.
Just when I think I have something figured out, a student comes along who makes me look at it in a whole new way.
I actually love this about teaching. After all these years, I am still learning, trying new things, and looking for ways to become a better teacher. I think that’s what makes teaching so special. We are constantly learning right alongside our students.
Noozhawk: Share a student success story that stays with you (no names needed).
BN-G: Success is not always about academics. Anytime I have a student who is struggling, whether it’s academically or emotionally, and I can make a difference in their life, that is a success to me.
I want my students to know that they have someone who cares about them and a classroom where they feel safe, happy and loved.
There is one student and her family who will always hold a very special place in my heart. I had just had my daughter and was planning to take maternity leave for the beginning of the school year. My substitute started calling me each day because she was worried about one of my students who was really struggling. Her father had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had been given only three to six months to live.
After the third day of phone calls, I decided to drive up to school to see how she was doing. When I walked into the classroom, I found my student lying in the corner crying while the rest of the class was outside at recess.
I walked over and said her name and she immediately ran over to me. We sat on the floor together and we both cried. I can still picture that moment so clearly even after all these years.
I had been her teacher the year before in a combination classroom so I knew her family well and absolutely adored them. Sitting there with her that day, I knew I needed to come back to school.
It was such a difficult decision because I had just become a mom myself and all I wanted was to be home with my baby. But I also knew that this little girl was going through something no child should ever have to experience and I wanted to be there for her.
I returned to school the following week and sadly, her father passed away just a few weeks later. It was a really hard year for her and her mom. There were good days and really difficult days but we got through them together.
I have thought about that decision many times over the years. My heart was torn between staying home with my newborn and returning to my classroom but I have never regretted going back.
That experience had such an impact on me. It reminded me how precious life is, and how much the relationships we build with our students and their families matter.
As teachers, we never really know what a child might be going through when they walk through our classroom door each morning.
I think that is what makes teaching so special. Sometimes the most important thing we can do for a child has nothing to do with academics.
Sometimes they just need someone to be there for them, and I feel so fortunate that I was able to be that person for her.
Noozhawk: What advice would you give your first-year teacher self?
BN-G: I would remind any first-year teacher that, just like our students, we are learning and growing every day.
You don’t have to have all the answers and you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Lean on your colleagues, ask questions, seek their advice, and take the time to observe other teachers.
Some of the most valuable things I have learned over the years have come from watching and listening to the amazing veteran teachers around me. Don’t be afraid to try something new, make mistakes and learn from them.
I would also remind new teachers to slow down and remember that every child who walks through our classroom door has their own story. We don’t always know what is happening at home or what a family might be going through.
When a student comes in late, instead of focusing on why they are late simply greet them with a smile and say, “I’m so happy you’re here today!” Sometimes those few words can make all the difference in how a child begins their day.
Always remember to tell your students often that you are proud of them, that you believe in them, and that you are there to help them. Celebrate the little things because sometimes those little things are actually really big things for a child.
Take the time to listen, be patient, and build relationships with your students and their families.
After all these years of teaching, I am still learning something new from my students every day. I think that’s one of the things I love most about teaching. We are all learning together.
I hope my students will always remember how much I care about them, how much I believe in them, and how much I loved being their teacher.
Noozhawk: Who are your mentors?
BN-G: From administrators and teachers to school secretaries, classroom aides and support staff, I have learned so much from the people I have been fortunate enough to work alongside. I truly believe that teaching is a team effort.
There are a few people who have had a particularly special impact on me.
My teaching journey began at Summerland School under the guidance of Mickey Manning. Mickey was known for being able to teach any child to read and write, and I was so fortunate to learn from her.
She would take the time to sit down with me, look through student work and assessments, and help me figure out how to support the individual needs of each child. She taught me how to take the standards and make them work for all of my students, whether that meant providing extra support, offering a greater challenge or finding a completely different way to teach something.
She helped me truly understand that children learn differently and it is our job to find what works for them. I still carry so much of what she taught me into my classroom today.
Another mentor is Lisa Ishikawa. Lisa really helped me understand that, while academics are important, the relationships we build with our students and their families are what matter most.
She taught me the importance of truly getting to know families, listening and being there for them however we can. She also reminded me that we don’t have to do everything on our own. It’s OK to ask for help, lean on your colleagues and learn from their strengths.
Stacy Allison at Montecito Union School has also been such a wonderful mentor and friend. She has always been willing to take time out of her busy day to sit down with me, talk about teaching, share ideas, and tell me what has worked in her own classroom. I have learned so much from our conversations.
She has also kept me laughing. Teaching can be challenging and having someone you can laugh with, be vulnerable with and bounce ideas off of means so much.
Kristy Guerrero with Carpinteria Unified (School District) has also been an incredible source of support.
She was especially helpful when we transitioned to the Common Core State Standards in math. She spent so much time helping me better understand the standards and different ways to teach mathematical concepts.
She really changed the way I approach teaching math, especially the importance of using hands-on materials and giving children opportunities to explore and make sense of math in different ways. I am so grateful for her expertise.
There are honestly so many other people I could mention. I have learned something from just about everyone I have worked with over the years, and I hope I never stop learning.
I feel so fortunate that these people took the time to share their knowledge, encourage me, answer my questions and help me become a better teacher.
Noozhawk: Who are the people in your life and work environment who support you every day?
BN-G: First and foremost, my family. I really don’t know what I would do without them.
My husband, Mark, has been my biggest supporter over the years. It’s the little everyday things that mean so much to me. He will leave me Post-it notes with sweet messages, stop by my classroom just to give me a hug, or offer a few words of encouragement when he knows I’ve had a long day.
Those little things mean more to me than he probably realizes.
My husband is a chef and he has been so great about sharing his talents with my students. He has made pancake breakfasts, hot chocolate bars for special reading days, pavlova, and all sorts of treats for our classroom celebrations.
The kids absolutely love it and I love that he takes the time to do these special things for them.
My daughters have also been such a big part of my teaching journey. They have spent so many hours in my classroom helping me prepare materials, working with students, and volunteering their time.
One of my favorite things is watching them interact with the children. They are so patient and encouraging.
My entire family has spent countless hours cutting things out, putting projects together, and helping me make holidays and classroom celebrations special.
I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve brought home a pile of things that needed to be cut out or put together and everyone has jumped in to help.
I also have to say how much my colleagues have meant to me. I have been so fortunate to work with people who genuinely care about one another. Sometimes it’s a hug when you’re having a hard day, a little note left on your desk, someone stopping by to check on you, or a warm cup of coffee that magically appears when you really need one.
There have been so many times when a colleague has made my day better without even realizing it.
Teaching can be exhausting and there are definitely days when things don’t go as planned. Having people around you who listen, make you laugh, encourage you, and remind you that you’re not alone makes such a difference.
I feel so lucky to have my family and the people I work with in my life. They have been there for the wonderful moments and the really hard ones, too.
I hope they know how much their kindness and support have meant to me over the years. I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today without them.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite quote?
BN-G: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” — Norman Vincent Peale
Noozhawk: How does it feel to be honored as part of A Salute to Teachers?
BN-G: It is such a tremendous honor and I honestly feel so grateful. There are so many incredible teachers who are just as deserving of this recognition and to be chosen among them means so much to me.
I feel so fortunate to have worked alongside so many wonderful teachers, mentors and colleagues throughout my career. So many people have taken the time to share their knowledge, offer guidance, encourage me and support me along the way. They have all helped shape the teacher I am today, and I truly would not be where I am without them.
Teaching has never been something I’ve done alone. I continue to learn so much from fellow educators every day. I am just so thankful to be part of a profession filled with people who give so much of themselves to their students and families.
