[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.]
Marilyn Tilley has been a teacher for more than 35 years, but her dedication to education goes well beyond her experience. Whether it’s her students or her colleagues, especially younger colleagues, she is genuinely interested in seeing those around her grow, develop and succeed.
The teacher at Battles School in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District will be honored as a 2020 Santa Barbara County Distinguished Mentor.
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As a mentor teacher, Tilley is continuously committed to sharing her knowledge and expertise with her new mentees, and she maintains those relationships long after they advance in their careers. New teachers describe her as being like the “old wise tree” with so much knowledge and guidance to share.
Tilley graduated from Santa Maria High School and Cal Poly, holds a multiple subject teaching credential, and a Specialized Learning Handicapped Credential with an Autism Authorization.
She teaches migrant education classes and Saturday classes, and is the After School Education and Safety liaison.
Tilley says she finds joy in each day and draws inspiration from her students and her new teacher mentees.
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 Tilley, distinguished mentors are Marith Parton of Carpinteria Middle School in the Carpinteria Unified School District and Amy Willis of Los Olivos School in the Los Olivos School District.
In addition to Cox, Salute to Teachers 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?
Marilyn Tilley: I was never going to be anything else. I’m not sure I actually made a conscious decision to be a teacher; I think I was drawn to teaching in moments of time and circumstances. The first time I volunteered for Special Olympics was the defining moment that led me to my current vocation.
Noozhawk: How long have you been teaching?
MT: I have been teaching for more than 35 years.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite subject or lesson plan to teach your students?
MT: My favorite subject to teach my students is Social Science. Teaching Social Science lessons gives me an opportunity to include my own experiences and passions into classroom lessons. But, I love teaching all subjects.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite part of being a teacher?
MT: My favorite part of being a teacher is connecting with my students and being able to be a part of their lives.
Noozhawk: What are the challenges of your job?
MT: Paperwork, accepting what I can’t change in a student’s situation, and dealing with involved people who don’t put students first.
Noozhawk: What are you most looking forward to this school year?
MT: This school year I am most looking forward to seeing my students grow. It may be growing from a nonreader to reading the first word read or growing from being nonverbal to saying the first word.
Of course, the growth from the beginning of the year when my students seem a lot like kittens straying from Mama to around spring break when they become little scholars.
Noozhawk: Who are your mentors?
MT: My mentors have always been colleagues, including my “mentees.” I have always reached out to my colleagues for technical and emotional support, and I’m happy to say that my relationships with my colleagues have been the most rewarding and supportive relationships I’ve had.
Noozhawk: Who are the people in your life and work environment who support you every day?
MT: The people in my life who support me every day are my family and my friends. In the work environment, the people who support me are the para-professionals (my instructional assistants, the office staff, the school nurse) I work with and my colleagues, those in Special Ed as well as in general education.
I consider myself to be very fortunate that I have had such a support network throughout my career.
Noozhawk: How does it feel to be honored as part of the Salute to Teachers?
MT: To be honored as part of the Salute to Teachers is a bit overwhelming for me. I feel as though I’m a little out of my league. The other recipients seem so much more skilled at their professions than I am. I’m still a bit in denial.
Noozhawk: Is there anything else you wish to share?
MT: I love my job and I love being a mentor. I consider myself to be extraordinarily blessed to have a job that I truly enjoy and to work with people who are a source of strength for me.