[Noozhawk’s note: One in a series on the teachers who will be honored Nov. 2 at A Salute to Teachers, presented by Cox Communications and the Santa Barbara County Education Office. Click here for a complete series index.]
Amy Willis’ abilities and leadership as a mentor are evident to almost all who meet her. So it’s no surprise that the Los Olivos School teacher will be honored as a 2020 Santa Barbara County distinguished mentor.
Willis, who has taught in the Los Olivos School District for 17 years, has helped mentor several new teachers, and she is passionate about ensuring that they have a smooth transition. She emphasizes the importance of personal connection with students and staff, and believes in an open-door policy and adaptable availability.
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Her mentees remark on her creativity, innovation and 21st-century learning skills as a model for all staff.
After graudating from UC Santa Barbara, she volunteered with AmeriCorps in Washington, D.C., and eventually earned a multiple subject credential from Antioch University Santa Barbara and a supplemental credential in English from UC Riverside.
Willis teaches three grade levels of English to middle school students, as well as Creative Expression, Leadership and Yearbook. She also is the ASB adviser.
Eight educators will be recognized Nov. 2 at A 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.
Michele Frantz of Joe Nightingale School in the Orcutt Union School District has been named the 2020 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year.
Bree Jansen, a dance, choreography and cheerleading teacher at Lompoc High in the Lompoc Unified School District, will be honored as the 2020 Santa Barbara County Performing Arts Teacher of the Year.
Distinguished new educators to be honored are Anthony Bruemmer of Santa Ynez School in the College School District, Melanie Thatcher of Miguelito School in the Lompoc Unified School District and Michael Wallace of El Camino Junior High School in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District.
Along with Willis, distinguished mentors are Marith Parton of Carpinteria Middle School in the Carpinteria Unified School District and Marilyn Tilley of Battles School in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District.
In addition to Cox, the event is sponsored by Noozhawk, Anthem Blue Cross, Fielding Graduate University, Montecito Bank & Trust, the Santa Barbara Bowl and the SBCC Foundation.
Noozhawk Q&A
Noozhawk: Why did you decide to become a teacher?
Amy Willis: After graduating from UC Santa Barbara in 1999 with a degree in communications, I spent a year in Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas as a volunteer with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps. It was during this experience that I first discovered my love for working with youth and for teaching.
Although I participated in various areas of service, my time in the classroom is what left the biggest impression on me and, as a result, I decided to pursue my teaching credential.
Noozhawk: How long have you been teaching?
AW: I began my teaching career in 2003 as a third-grade teacher, and moved into sixth- to eighth-grade English in 2012. This is my 17th year in the classroom.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite subject or lesson plan to teach your students?
AW: I love projects in my English classroom. The eighth-grade students just completed a unit on suspense, and they are using what they know about building suspense to create a “Spooky Story Night” for the students at Los Olivos School. The evening will feature poetry (including some original student work), literature, drama, props, costumes, sound effects and music.
I so enjoy seeing the students’ ideas come to life. For them to take what they’ve learned and execute an event like this is a powerful experience.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite part of being a teacher?
AW: When I graduated from college, I had no plans of becoming a teacher. I was young, excited and full of dreams for a bright future in the corporate world.
Once I returned from my year of volunteer work in Washington, I was lucky enough to find a corporate job immediately. It didn’t take long for me to realize I was not cut out for it. My heart wasn’t in it.
My appreciation for the teaching profession stems from the years I spent feeling indifferent about my office job. I never take for granted the energy, the personality and the unpredictability of teaching. I treasure those qualities about my career. I am invested in my craft, in my students as people, and in their future success.
Noozhawk: What are the challenges of your job?
AW: Teaching middle school is a bit challenging because I have such a limited amount of time with the students each day … and so much important content to cover.
Middle school can also be challenging at times because it is such a transitional time in the students’ lives. Feelings and preoccupations make it difficult for them to stay consistently engaged in school stuff during this time in their life. It is so important for me to be mindful of the students’ age and development as I plan.
Noozhawk: What are you most looking forward to this school year?
AW: I look forward to another year of being a mentor teacher to my colleague, Norah MacCuish. I so enjoy collaboration, and working closely with Norah last year was certainly a highlight.
As the ASB facilitator, I also always look forward to the events that our ASB dreams up and leads throughout the year.
I also am thrilled because I recently requested funds to be used in my classroom library via Donors Choose. Generous community members and our Los Olivos School Foundation fulfilled my request and I am currently receiving daily shipments of awesome titles for the library. The students are thrilled, and so am I!
Noozhawk: Who are your mentors?
AW: The foundation of who I am as an educator has everything to do with the mentors and inspirations in my teaching life. I’ve been blessed by the excellence of my own mentors and, because of those relationships, I have made it a continued priority to seek out other professionals who add value to my practice. Relationship is what teaching is all about … with the students and also with our professional community.
It is because of the months with my master teachers in Goleta and Oxnard as a student teacher that I value creativity and flexibility in the classroom. It is because of my connection with teachers in the English Department at a neighboring junior high school that I’ve seen the power of fostering a love of language and literature in young people. It is the result of my relationship with our former kindergarten teacher that I’ve realized that a strong teacher is such because of the opportunities she provides for students.
My colleagues at Los Olivos School during my years as a brand-new teacher — Pam Stover, Gary Crispin and Jill Clevenger — have made the biggest difference in my career, and I am so grateful that, although they’ve all retired, they are still regularly in my life.
Noozhawk: Who are the people in your life and work environment who support you every day?
AW: My colleagues are my well-respected friends and supporters. I have learned much of what I know about teaching from these fine professionals. I started my first year of teaching in 2003. Back then, I was an unmarried, childless young person. My life has changed drastically since then. A marriage, two children, several moves, loves and losses over the years have resulted in my life looking much different.
One thing has remained constant: My colleagues have supported me through it all and, I am so fortunate for that.
At home, my family also encourages me. My husband, Andy, is always helping me with classroom projects. Whether it’s furniture building, painting, repairs or just simply hanging something for me that I can’t reach, he supports me unconditionally.
Noozhawk: How does it feel to be honored as part of the Salute to Teachers?
MP: It is my turn to give back in a way that honors the mentors I’ve been so fortunate to have over the years. It feels natural to do this, so to be awarded for it is a surprise. I feel honored that someone as amazing as my colleague, Norah, thinks that I am “distinguished.” I’ve never been celebrated in this way before so it’s overwhelming but so appreciated.