[Noozhawk’s note: One in a series on the teachers who will be honored Nov. 6 at A Salute to Teachers, presented by Cox Communications and the Santa Barbara County Education Office.]
Ten educators will be recognized Nov. 6 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.
Alisyn Blanton of Miguelito School in the Lompoc Unified School District has been named the 2022 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year.
Frank Koroshec of San Marcos High School in the Santa Barbara Unified School District will be honored as the 2021 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year.
Josie Coburn of Orcutt Academy High School in the Orcutt Union School District will be recognized as the 2022 Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year.
Elizabeth Caruso of Monroe School in the Santa Barbara Unified School District will be honored as the 2021 Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year.
The 2021-2022 distinguished mentors to be recognized are Lorena Armstrong of Mary Buren School in the Guadalupe Union School District, Riccardo Magni of Pioneer Valley High School in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, and Melissa Woods of Dos Pueblos High School in the Santa Barbara Unified School District.
The 2021-2022 distinguished new educators to be honored are Samantha Ayala of La Honda STEAM Academy in the Lompoc Unified School District, T.J. Berry of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School in the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, and Christina Peña Eckert of Carpinteria Middle School in the Carpinteria Unified School District.
The eighth annual presentation will be livestreamed at 5 p.m. Nov. 6 at s.sbceo.org/salutestream.
In addition to Cox, Salute to Teachers is sponsored by Noozhawk, Fielding Graduate University, Montecito Bank & Trust, Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara City College and Southwest Airlines.
Noozhawk Q&A
Noozhawk: Why did you decide to become a teacher?
Lorena Armstrong: I wanted to become a teacher so I can be a role model for students who have similar backgrounds as me. My parents were migrant workers and came to this country to give us a better opportunity. I am the first person in my family to attend college. I want my students to know anything is possible as long as they’re willing to do the work.
Noozhawk: How long have you been teaching?
LA: Overall, I have been teaching for about 10 years. I am starting my seventh year at Mary Buren Elementary School in Guadalupe. I have worked as a bilingual instructional assistant and guest teacher in grade levels preschool through eighth grade in public and private schools settings.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite subject or lesson plan to teach your students?
LA: Writing. I enjoy teaching the students the importance of storytelling to help them bring their stories to life. I enjoy seeing their little faces light up when they get to read their personal stories in front of the class.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite part of being a teacher?
LA: Seeing my students grow academically, socially and emotionally. I feel so proud when my students are more independent and have more confidence to tackle any assignment, no matter the difficulty.
Noozhawk: What are the challenges of your job?
LA: My biggest challenge this school year is to make sure all of my students feel safe and comfortable returning to school with the circumstances we are currently facing.
Noozhawk: What are you most looking forward to this school year?
LA: Helping my students become stronger readers so they can learn to love to read. Reading allows them to experience different realities. Books can take them to any place in the world they have never seen or been before.
Noozhawk: Who are your mentors?
LA: In the last 10 years, I have met many incredible teachers who have coached and guided me through my teaching career. I am most thankful for Julie Johnson, who taught me how to work with students who needed additional support to get them up to grade level. Also, Summer Arguijo showed me how to motivate students and inspire them to do their best.
Lastly, my second-grade team, which is always open to share their ideas and support me.
Noozhawk: Who are the people in your life and work environment who support you every day?
LA: One of my biggest supporters at work is my friend and colleague, Camelia Ortiz-Alvarez. She has always listened to my great or bad ideas. She is willing to share her point of view and never fails to send me off with encouraging words.
My husband, Shane, has been the biggest supporter in my life. He encouraged me to go back to school and finish my degree. As we raised a family, I continued to go to school, and over 10 years I was able to earn my associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree and teaching credential. He continues to encourage me to do my best and challenge myself in my career field.
Noozhawk: How does it feel to be honored as part of the Salute to Teachers?
LA: I feel so overwhelmed with gratitude to have been selected to be part of Salute to Teachers. When I was told I had been selected, I was in disbelief because I knew I was competing against so many talented teachers.
I cannot wait to share this award with the people who have come into my personal and professional life.