[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?”
SH: From a young age I knew I had a passion for working with younger people. In high school, I used to assist my high school drama teacher at the middle schools where she also taught.
From there, I worked in dance studios, managed an elementary after-school program and even started a nonprofit children’s theater program.
However, it wasn’t until I received a phone call one night from that same drama teacher, Robyn Metchik, asking me why I hadn’t yet gone back to school for my credential that really kicked things into high gear.
The very next day, I applied to credentialing programs and the rest is history.
Noozhawk: How long have you been teaching?
SH: This is my 13th year.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite subject or lesson plan to teach your students?
SH: My performance theater class. This is the class we use to prep for our productions. We work incredibly hard, but it is also a lot of fun and really inspiring to watch.
Noozhawk: What’s your classroom superpower — and how did you develop it?
SH: I had to ask some of my alumni for help on this one. They said my superpower is creating a home for every student.
Noozhawk: Share a student success story that stays with you (no names needed).
SH: I had a student last year who was an incredibly talented performer but faced significant personal challenges that left them on the verge of failing out of school.
I encouraged them to audition for PCPA, a local conservatory, and they were accepted. That opportunity gave them renewed motivation to refocus and finish the school year strong.
Today, they are thriving as a first-year conservatory student at PCPA.
Noozhawk: What’s one change you made this year — tool, routine or strategy — that moved the needle?
SH: The integration of our special education students into the performing arts. We were able to launch our first-ever moderate to severe special education dance class, and it has been a pure joy to watch those students find a place in the spotlight.
Noozhawk: What advice would you give your first-year teacher self?
SH: To not get hung up on the little things. Not all lessons are going to go perfect; not all days are going to run smooth.
Don’t be afraid to take a step back and look at the big picture. If your students are excited to come through your door, you are doing something right.
Noozhawk: Who are your mentors?
SH: My former drama teacher, Robyn Metchik, and our choreographer, Suzy Miller. Suzy was also my choreographer while I was in high school and serves as an incredible mentor, as well.
Noozhawk: Who are the people in your life and work environment who support you every day?
SH: I am incredibly fortunate to have a strong network of people who support me, my students and our theater program.
So much of that support begins at home with my incredible husband, Chris, who supports me both as a teacher and as a mother. He is always there to lift me up, especially when things get chaotic, and his encouragement makes it possible for me to give so much of myself to this work.
My mom, Mary, is also an invaluable source of support to both me and the program. She has taken on the enormous responsibilities of creating costumes and managing front of house for our productions. Quite simply, I could not manage it all without her.
Behind the scenes, I am fortunate to have an incredible production team. My colleague, Scott Wonnell, builds our sets, while industry professionals Suzy Miller and Mark Robertshaw lend their expertise in choreography and musical direction.
Their contributions help bring our productions to life and provide our students with invaluable learning experiences.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this work is the community of alumni who continue to give back to the program. Jesus Diaz, Kayla Navarro, Noah McCormick, Kye Lovato, Jordan McCormick, Dominik Garcia, Hunter McCormick, Jesus Manriquez, David Lopez and Nicko McCormick have returned to mentor and coach younger students, both on-stage and behind the scenes.
Their willingness to share their knowledge and experience speaks volumes about the community we have built and the lasting impact of our program.
I am equally grateful for our incredible parent volunteers, who love and support these students as if they were their own children. Scott and Kelly Davis, Jessica Ybarra, Cassandra Curiel and Monica Brown are among the many parents who consistently step up wherever help is needed.
Their generosity and dedication make an immeasurable difference.
Finally, none of this work would be possible without the support of my colleagues and administration at Pioneer Valley High School.
Our principal, Dr. Paul Robinson, and our superintendent, Antonio García, are extraordinary advocates for the arts who lead by example. It is a rare occasion for either of them to miss a performance, and their consistent presence demonstrates how much they value our students and the performing arts.
Ultimately, this program is not the work of one person. It is the result of a community of people who believe in our students, champion the arts, and are willing to give their time, talents and hearts to help young people succeed.
I am incredibly grateful to be surrounded by people who share that vision and make it possible for our students to do extraordinary things.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite quote?
SH: “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible” — Walt Disney
Noozhawk: How does it feel to be honored as part of A Salute to Teachers?
SH: It is an incredible honor to be selected as this year’s Performing Arts Teacher of the Year.
I am incredibly grateful to live in a community that recognizes the unique work that performing arts teachers do.
Although this honor is being presented to me, it is a real reflection of the hard work and dedication of my students, who have given their hearts to our program for so many years. I share this award with them.
