Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year Award Winners

2024: Gregory Wolf
Social Sciences Teacher, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District

“Teaching is a very demanding profession that entails a lot of personal sacrifice, but the kids make it more than worth it. We have an amazing group of students at Santa Ynez High School, and I am extremely blessed to be able to work with them. They inspire me in unimaginable ways and I look forward to many more years of serving them to the best of my ability.” Greg is known as an inspirational teacher who brings joy to learning - and is the “undisputable heartbeat” of the social sciences department at SYVUHS and is considered ‘the full package' when it comes to embodying the soul of an outstanding educator.

Learn more about Greg HERE.

2023: Joanna Hendrix

Santa Barbara County Education Office, Special Education regional program at Ralph Dunlap School, Orcutt Union School District

 “Simply put, developing and maintaining relationships with students and parents alike, is embedded in the foundation of what I do as an educator. My philosophy of teaching is simple and straightforward: ‘relationships first, everything else second’. I firmly believe cultivating relationships must come first. Students struggle to learn without connection, so my foundation is built upon positive relationships. I cultivate exceptional relationships that, in turn, grow exceptional learners. Despite the frequent assumption that my class is quiet, my deaf students are a lively and boisterous group of inquisitive young learners - we laugh, we dance, we explore our community, we make mistakes, we try again, and we celebrate each small success, fostering positive relationships through communication and play.”

Joanna is a pre-school, TK, and Kindergarten teacher for SBCEO's Special Education regional program at Ralph Dunlap School in the Orcutt Union School District. She earned both her BA and MA in Deaf Education at California State University, Fresno and has over 21 years of teaching experience. A winner of multiple SBCEO Teachers Network grants, and awards, including California Educators of the Deaf- Educator of the Year, and Vocational Training Center Enterprises- Special Education Teacher of the Year, Joanna represents what is best about our county's educators.

Kirsten Escobedo, SBCEO Assistant Superintendent of Special Education states, "The foundational joy Ms. Hendrix brings to her work is evident in everything she does: the delivery of lessons; the daily interactions with students, staff and families; the advocacy for her students; her commitment to supporting newer educators; and her humility in learning new processes and reflecting on her practice.”

Learn more about Joanna HERE.

2022: Alisyn Blanton

Miguelito School, Lompoc Unified School District

During the pandemic, we have been working to provide a high quality, rigorous and accountable education that simply looks and feels different at home. We have worked harder than we ever have in our entire careers. We reinvented our scripts and even thrown them away for new ones. We are working to engage students in ways we never imagined. This is because teaching is a profession of pride, not payout. I envy no committee that must work to select one teacher to represent this profession in the midst of a pandemic. We are EACH and ALL truly Teachers of the Year. I have never been prouder to be a teacher in Santa Barbara County. -Alisyn Blanton

Alisyn is a fifth-grade teacher at Miguelito Elementary School in the Lompoc Unified School District.  As the recipient of 2022 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year award, Alisyn proudly represents our county’s exceptional educators. She is a graduate of the University of California Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. After working for the Community Action Commission, she returned to school, pursuing her Master of Arts in Education from University of California Santa Cruz. She has been with the Lompoc Unified School District since 2004, teaching at Los Berros Elementary, Fillmore Elementary, and Miguelito Elementary, where she has taught since 2004. In 2001, Alisyn received a $20,000 fellowship to support her studies at UC Santa Cruz. She has dedicated her career with the belief that all students can achieve.

Learn more about Alisyn HERE.

2021: Frank Koroshec

San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

Enthusiasm for learning may be contagious, but enthusiasm in a classroom is not something to be taken for granted. A teacher's passion for learning must be coupled with a heightened awareness of community, and community is dependent upon a trust that is built through relationships. In my classroom, I love each of my students, and I work diligently to connect with them as we learn together. - Frank Koroshec

An English teacher at San Marcos High School in the Santa Barbara Unified School District, Frank has been teaching for 16 years, the last nine at San Marcos. He is the founder of the Resource Family Association Student Support Team, serves as a mentor in the teacher induction program, is a department chair, has collaborated with Santa Barbara City College's English department to design articulated courses, and is the creator of the San Marcos High School Writing Center. Having won many awards, Frank is recognized as a leader in instructional excellence based on equity, passion for teaching, and commitment to student success. His teaching philosophy- we read to write to live-has inspired many students to make meaningful changes in their lives. Learn more about Frank HERE.

2020: Michele Frantz

Joe Nightingale School, Orcutt Union School District

We have incredibly important work. What other profession affects somebody’s tomorrow the way ours does? Our students are going to be growing up and ruling the world one day, and we cannot lose sight of that. I am honored to be part of such an important profession!”. – Michele Frantz

A first grade teacher at Joe Nightingale School in Orcutt, Michele Frantz has been an educator for 24 years including almost five years as a teacher on special assignment while leading the Orcutt Union School District's English-language development implementation. She is a talented teacher of young students and believes her role is foundational to a child's later successes. A team-player at heart, Michele leans on her colleagues and leaders while offering support and mentorship as well. You can learn more about Michele HERE.

2019: Mandi de Witte

Carpinteria High School, Carpinteria Unified School District

One of the biggest parts of my job is making student relationships — to forge relationships with them, get to know them and know what makes them tick so I can inspire them. All students can learn. All students can learn science if you can inspire them, give them the support and if you have the proper tools.”. – Mandi de Witte

A science teacher at Carpinteria High School in the Carpinteria Unified School District, Mandi is in her eighth year of teaching, having previously taught in the Ventura Unified School District. Mandi is also a lead teacher in the South Coast Science Project, a UCSB-based center providing professional development for teachers in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties through a variety of programs that assist teachers in the delivery of the content of the science standards to students. Gerardo Cornejo, her principal, states that Mandi's "dedication and commitment to the education of our students is evident every day in the engaging and challenging lessons she creates for our students. Carpinteria High School is fortunate to have her as a teacher, mentor and role model.” Learn more about Mandi HERE and HERE. Watch Mandi interviewed by County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Susan Salcido HERE.

2018: Jennifer Cline

Oak Valley School, Buellton Union School District

I look forward to work every day. I cherish those “aha” moments when a student grasps a concept. I pride myself on creating a close classroom community where students learn to celebrate successes, learn from mistakes, challenge each other, help each other, and above all, leave my classroom with the ability to succeed, academically and personally. – Jennifer Cline

A fifth grade teacher at Oak Valley Elementary School in the Buellton Union School District, Mrs. Cline is in her seventh year of teaching at Oak Valley. Jennifer embodies the kind of perseverance and persistence that makes Jennifer a true role model in the classroom. We are delighted to count Jennifer among our ranks of great educators. She is known for her humility, passion for the profession, and empathy for students. Dr. Randal Haggard, her district superintendent, ranks Mrs. Cline in the top one percent of teachers he’s observed in his 30 years in public education. “And when it comes to meaningful use of technology as a tool for teaching, she is unsurpassed.” Learn more about Jennifer HERE. 

2017: Michelle Minetti-Smith

Mary Buren School, Guadalupe Union School District

“I am very humbled to be a part of a family of teachers, students, and parents working together to embark on a voyage into the future of a child’s education. I am still as energized as I was in my beginning years of teaching, and I still feel that drive to be the best teacher that I can be.” – Michelle Minetti-Smith

Michelle Minetti-Smith has over 20 years of experience teaching first grade at Mary Buren Elementary School in the Gaudalupe Union School where her grandmother taught for 20 years before her. Michelle is the fourth generation of her family to attend the school! Michelle takes the idea of ‘home-grown talent’ to a new level. Her family’s deep generational ties to the community is just one of the motivators behind her persistent demonstration of excellence. Few know better than Michelle the importance of making a difference in one’s community. She truly walks the talk. Learn more about Michelle HERE.

2016: Brandon Sportel

Canalino Elementary School, Carpinteria Unified School District

Since 2006 Brandon has worked as a Special Education Teacher in the Carpinteria Unified School District. As a Special Day Class teacher for students with mild-to-moderate disabilities at Canalino Elementary, Brandon was honored not only as our local Teacher of the Year, he was also honored with the prestigious Milken Educator Award given to only one teacher per state, annually. “Brandon has a unique ability to reach students with a combination of warmth, understanding, and structure that allows them to find success in the face of often significant challenges. His commitment to all kids, and his team approach to making students successful is what makes him stand out as an exceptional leader,” says Principal Jamie Persoon. Learn more about Brandon HERE.

2015: Allison Heiduk

Vieja Valley School, Hope School District

“Being able to be a teacher leader and provide insight to teachers, ask questions of teachers, and also to be able to learn from others, has not only been a great educational contribution to my site, district, and profession, but also to my own personal growth as a teacher."- Allison Heiduk 

With more than 25 years of teaching experience, Heiduk uses her natural enthusiasm and eagerness to support both students and colleagues as they learn and grow. Having taught in the Hope School District since 1995, she has extensive experience in working with elementary students. Allison focused on implementing the Common Core State Standards in her classroom and mentoring her colleagues, who benefitted from her early work on the new standards.  To see Allison in action, click here.

2014: Kelly Choi

Academy Director, Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

 “My strength is creating a relationship with my students built on honesty, trust, and respect. But mostly, I just kill them with kindness. My expectations are high, my curriculum is rigorous, and my students’ success rate is excellent. All this happens because everything I do is rooted in being kind and encouraging. When students believe that I am genuinely invested in their success, and every action I make is based on that belief, the most at-risk student will rise to the occasion. Simply put, I believe that student success begins with the relationship they have with their teacher.” - Kelly Choi

A teacher for 17 years, the past 15 of them at Dos Pueblos High School in the Santa Barbara Unified School District, Kelly Choi has led efforts to integrate technology into the classroom, develop ways to use it effectively in instruction, and train other teachers in its use. Kelly is one of the Santa Barbara Unified School District’s technology coaches and the director of her school’s Charger Academy, which gives intensive attention to students who are most at risk of not graduating from high school. The Academy was established to provide students with the personalized attention and support they need to be successful in both school and life. The Academy connects school with community through mentorship programs, internship opportunities, and partnerships with organizations throughout Santa Barbara, with the ultimate goal to graduate productive and responsible citizens with a comprehensive life plan. In each of the past four years, the Academy has identified 30 ninth-graders who are most at risk of dropping out, based on their high truancy, frequent disciplinary issues, and low grade-point averages, and helped them succeed. Click here to watch Kelly on Local Leaders.

2013 - Riccardo Magni, Pioneer Valley High School, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

2012 - Desa Mandarino, San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

2011 - Marilyn Garza, Santa Barbara Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

2010 - Diane Siegal, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District

2009 - Luke Laurie, El Camino Junior High School, Santa Maria-Bonita School District

2008 - Ole Pedersen, Orcutt Union School District

2007 - Ron Zell, Jonata/Oak Valley, Buellton Union School District

2006 - Celeste Darga, Washington Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

2005 - Eric Burrows, San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

2004 - Peggy Lubchenco, La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

2003 - Chris Mullin, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District

2002 - Therese Brady, Ontiveros School, Santa Maria-Bonita School District

2001 - Tory Babcock, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District

2000 - Sandra Robertson, Santa Barbara Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

1999 - Carolyn Teraoka-Brady, Goleta Valley Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

1998 - Peter van Duinwyk, Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

1997 - Pamela Holst, Roosevelt Elementary, Santa Barbara Unified School District

1996 - Lissa Lee, Santa Barbara Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

1995 - David Kuehn, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District

1994 - Timothy Stenson, Los Robles High School, Santa Barbara County Education Office

1993 - Carmen Candelaria, Bonita School, Santa Maria-Bonita School District

1992 - Linda Wiezorek, Los Berros School, Lompoc Unified School District

1991 - Betty Migliore, Ontiveros School, Santa Maria-Bonita School District

1990 - Richard Malvarose, Benjamin Foxen School, Blochman Union School District

1989 - Janice Lorber, Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

1988 - David Georgi, Santa Maria High School, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

1987 - David Winters, Santa Barbara Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

1986 - Mike Couch, Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

1985 - Glen Newcomb, Lompoc High School, Lompoc Unified School District

1984 - Maryanna Gray, La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

1983 - David McEachen, Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District

1981 - Barbara Franklin, Laguna Blanca School (Private School)

1952 - Geraldine Jones, Hope School, Hope School District