[Noozhawk’s note: One in a series on the teachers who will be honored Oct. 25 at A Salute to Teachers, presented by Cox Communications and the Santa Barbara County Education Office.]
Eight public school educators will be recognized Oct. 25 at the 12th annual Salute to Teachers, an event hosted by Cox Communications and the Santa Barbara County Education Office at the Music Academy of the West in Montecito.
Natalie Wilkes — a Monte Vista School first-grade teacher in the Hope Elementary School District in Santa Barbara — is the 2026 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year.
Sara DiSalvo, a music teacher at Cold Spring School in the Cold Spring School District in Montecito, will be recognized as the 2026 Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year.
The 2026 distinguished mentors to be recognized are social studies and AVID teacher Nicole Caiazza at La Cumbre Junior High School in the Santa Barbara Unified School District, Clarence Ruth School teacher Wendy Culver in the Lompoc Unified School District, and instructional coach Amanda Wildhagen at Fairlawn Elementary School in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District.
The 2026 distinguished new educators to be honored are agriculture teacher Alondra Barrueta-Novoa at Santa Maria High School in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, agriculture/science teacher Emily Garcia at Carpinteria High School in the Carpinteria Unified School District, and bilingual education specialist Gloria Sevilla at Taylor Elementary School in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District.
In addition to Cox, Salute to Teachers is sponsored by Noozhawk, Driscoll’s, Fielding Graduate University, 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?”
Sara DiSalvo: I was the Cold Spring School Children’s Choir piano accompanist for Pam Herzog in 2010. She was such a gifted teacher and I thought if I could have a job like hers, that would be a dream come true.
I enrolled in her “Music for Children” class at Westmont College. About 13 years ago, the position at Cold Spring was open and I applied, but wasn’t hired.
I considered a career change as I had been doing part-time work for many years and unable to find a full-time music teacher job.
In God’s providence, a year later, the school asked me to come in for an interview and teach a sample lesson. I taught the “major scale” using Katy Perry’s “Firework” song.
They also asked me to give a sample of singing/playing and I showcased “The Wizard and I” from the musical Wicked. God answered my prayer and gave me this amazing position as music teacher at Cold Spring School.
Noozhawk: How long have you been teaching?
SDS: This is my 22nd year of teaching music. I’ve taught mostly in the elementary school general music education setting. Prior to this, I taught private piano lessons.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite subject or lesson plan to teach your students?
SDS: I absolutely love teaching children’s chorus. In the Kodály music method, there is a procedure to the approach where we “prepare, present, practice, and finally perform” the material.
The “present” is a small moment where the light bulb goes on. There’s a fun lesson plan in which first-grade students first discover the “divided” beat. One student is chosen and their legs are tied together so they have to take twice as many steps as the teacher and the students realize there is a 2:1 ratio.
They always laugh and enjoy this lesson.
I also really love the lesson when students discover the difference between major and minor seconds. Students make the connection to the scientific name of the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) and the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor).
Then they realize major is larger than minor and they begin to sing with the intervallic name “Major second or minor second.”
Noozhawk: What’s your classroom superpower — and how did you develop it?
SDS: My boss has always remarked that “behavior management” is one of my strengths, and I’ve picked up many strategies from wonderful teachers.
The Kodály method really cemented this for me as transitions are sung and directions are short and efficient.
Students thrive in routine and expected procedures. They feel safe with healthy boundaries and when they know what to expect.
When the management is in place, we get to have loads of fun and learning occurs!
Noozhawk: Share a student success story that stays with you (no names needed).
SDS: Last spring, a sixth-grader wrote me a note I won’t forget: “You showed me that music is not just about notes and instruments, but about feeling, expression and connection. Thank you for believing in me.”
This student has a beautiful voice and blossomed in confidence. I worked with him in general music, musical theater, vocal coaching and children’s choir, and he was selected as a soloist for the Kodály Association of Southern California Honors Choral Festival.
It’s a privilege when a gifted student comes your way and you can help them grow. Through our Leader in Me work — especially the eighth habit, “Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs” — I got to watch that promise come to life.
Noozhawk: What’s one change you made this year — tool, routine or strategy — that moved the needle?
SDS: The Cold Spring School District has generously supported my certification training in the Kodály method. In July, I finished the three-year certification, and am able to offer the Kodály Approach to ALL of our students.
Level 1 provides training in this pedagogical method for grades TK-first. Level 2 provides training for grades two and three. Level 3 provides training for grades four to six.
As part of the Level 3 training, I am just completing a Folk Song Research class that has given me research tools for folk song analysis.
By the end of a student’s years at Cold Spring School, they will receive the full sequence of the Kodály method.
It’s special to be using the Kodály approach because it has its origins in Santa Barbara with Dr. Erno Daniel and his wife, Katinka in the 1980s.
Katinka brought the Hungarian Kodály method to the then-San Roque School, a since-closed parochial school on the campus of San Roque Catholic Church.
As a result of her pedagogical research, publication and passion, the method spread to UCLA, the Los Angeles Unified School District and throughout California.
As a part of the Passion Project funds that the Santa Barbara County Education Office offers the Performing Arts Teacher of the Year, we are planning to host Level 1 Kodály certification for county music teachers next year.
Noozhawk: What advice would you give your first-year teacher self?
SDS: Learn how and when to use the copy machine. Just kidding.
On a more serious note, connection is everything. Relationships matter. It’s the old adage: “People need to know that you care before they care what you know.”
I enjoy mentoring new teachers and they ask really good questions. It’s been a joy to work with Westmont music students and help them prepare for their careers in music education.
Noozhawk: Who are your mentors?
SDS: In my professional life, I’m very grateful for Janet Hostetter, director of the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir. She has guided her chorus in national and international venues, is a fantastic conducting coach and a wealth of information. I often reach out to her for song suggestions.
I’m thankful for my Kodály colleagues: Kathy Hickey, Kelly Adams, Eric Lifland, Diane Geller, Krystin Cowan, Reka Csernyik, Aerie Lugo, Diane Engle, Jarrid Richey and Kent Young.
Other mentors include Bill Brandenstein, Clayton Erb, Kellie Cunningham, Philip Webb, Pam Herzog, Renee Stahl, Ron Zecher, Lana Bodnar and Karin Edwards.
Noozhawk: Who are the people in your life and work environment who support you every day?
SDS: This award wouldn’t be possible without Dr. Amy Alzina, Cold Spring’s superintendent and principal. She was so kind to nominate me and to continue to make music education equitable and accessible to all at Cold Spring School.
I’m grateful to work with a wonderful team of teachers. Every one is dedicated, collaborative, hard-working and supportive. I couldn’t name just one!
A special thanks to Kelly Orwig and Elsie Haines for their kindness to speak on my behalf in the Salute to Teachers video.
I’m grateful for the many parent volunteers at Cold Spring who have donated years of time to our music program to keep it strong, particularly Elke Kane, Katie Szopa, Angela Lerche and Erica Huff.
I’m also grateful for my wonderful, eager and fun students who make my job a delight each and every day!
There are so many community stakeholders helping to make music education and professional development possible, including the county Education Office, the Santa Barbara Foundation, Children’s Creative Project, Santa Barbara Bowl, Notes for Notes, Music Academy and Sing!, along with Xochitl Tafoya, Anna Pilhoefer, Erica Huff, Steve Keithley, Erin McKibben and Lyndsay Cook.
I’m extremely grateful for the friendship and support of Coco, Lynn, Honor (and the Lockwoods) and my mom. Also, my Grammy and Pop who support me faithfully in prayer.
Most of all, I owe my life and all glory to God my Father and Christ my Savior and Lord. I’m thankful for the gift of music God gave me, and for my parents who invested in me through many years of piano lessons and a college education.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite quote?
SDS: Bible verses: Zephaniah 3:17, Colossians 3:17, Psalm 103:1 and Romans 8:28.
Collaboration: “To dream a dream alone is only a dream, but to dream a dream together becomes a reality.” — Zoltán Kodály
Songs: “In Christ Alone,” “He Will Hold Me Fast,” “The Lord is My Salvation” and “Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me.”
Noozhawk: How does it feel to be honored as part of A Salute to Teachers?
SDS: What an honor and a blessing it is to be given the Performing Arts Teacher of the Year award! It feels special, exciting and important to be recognized this way.
I’m thankful for the opportunity and for the many people who have invested in me and the opportunity to give back through this award.
I’m thankful for the Santa Barbara community, including Lana Bodnar and the Santa Barbara Music and Arts Conservatory that taught me a true artist is surrounded in the arts and collaborates.
The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara and Italian Club gave me a scholarship to attend Wheaton College Conservatory of Music in Illinois.
My parents invested countless dollars in piano lessons and listening to hours of practice and recitals.
It’s a privilege to give back to the Santa Barbara community as a teacher and community member in school events, children’s chorus concerts and as a church member.
To God be the glory!
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Sip ’n’ Sing, an informal community singing opportunity led by Santa Barbara County Performing Arts Teacher of the Year Sara Di Salvo, will be held from 3-5 p.m. Nov. 1 at Lehmann Hall at the Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Road.
The free event includes guest artist Renée Stahl, and includes light sips and snacks on the patio.
RSVP to sdisalvo@coldspringschool.net.
