News Release
August 6, 2009
Levien named 2009-10 County Distinguished Educator
Philip Levien, an English and Performing Arts teacher at San Marcos High School in the Santa Barbara High School District, was named 2009-10 Santa Barbara County Distinguished Educator by County Superintendent of Schools William J. Cirone during the monthly meeting of the county board of education on Aug. 6.
Distinguished Educators comprise a category formed to acknowledge outstanding teachers in the Teacher of the Year awards program.
“Philip Levien exemplifies what is best in our profession,” said Superintendent Cirone. “We created the Distinguished Educators award as a means of paying tribute to the successes and the dedication that truly outstanding teachers display every day.”
The award was created as an outgrowth of the annual county Teacher of the Year award. This year, the selection committee, which included representatives of teachers, administrators, PTAs, and school boards, expressed strong feelings that the application and credentials of Levien were clearly Teacher-of-the-Year caliber. The committee members could only select one teacher to represent the county for the State Teacher of the Year award; but members felt strongly they should also acknowledge the excellence of this outstanding educator.
“This is our way of publicly announcing how very grateful and proud we are of his efforts and successes,” said Mr. Cirone.
Diane Siegal, an English teacher at Santa Ynez Valley High School, was named County Teacher of the Year in May.
Philip Levien has been teaching English and Theatre Arts at San Marcos High School since 1996. He has also served as a counselor for the SCWriP Young Writers’ Camp at UCSB; taught summer school and migrant education students at Carpinteria High School; worked with the Children’s Creative Project in drama; and served as an instructor in drama, teaching acting and directing at UCSB, while having started his career as a teaching assistant at a Crossroads School in Los Angeles.
“In this recent elections year, the claim was often made that our schools are not working. I believe this not to be true, in fact, I believe that teachers are doing some remarkable things in the classrooms in the face of almost insurmountable odds,” he wrote.
Levien attended a summer session in modern drama at Harvard University, earned his bachelor’s degree cum laude from Wesleyan University, and his master’s degree in dramatic art from UCSB. His teaching credential was earned at Chapman University.
Levien also received theatre training at HB Studios, The Loft Studio, David Proval, and Erwin Stoff. He has appeared in more than 100 movies and TV shows, including Patriot Games, Beverly Hills Cop, Three Wishes, Full House, Knots Landing, and Dallas.
His theatrical work includes performances at the Ahmanson, Theatricum Botanicum, Theatre East, Circle Rep West, Room for Theatre, URGENT, The Melrose Theatre, The Complex, Callboard, and Onion Co.
He is a member of Actors’ Equity, the Screen Actors Guild, as well as the National Education Association and the California Teachers Association.
Levien has also been active in staff development and training of future teachers. He was a Critical Friend for UCSB masters in education candidates, was a Carnegie Fellow in the Quest Project, provided in-service for San Marcos faculty regarding teaching strategies, was a Fellow in the SCWriP program, served as on-site coordinator for UCSB pre-professionals, and since 1997 has served as a UCSB Cooperating Teacher, working with student teachers and pre-professionals.
His long list of awards and recognitions include commendations from both UCSB and Santa Barbara City College, being featured in a cover article in “California Educators”; being nominated for the NEA’s Human Rights/Civil Rights award, and receiving the Anti-Defamation League’s prestigious Education award.
He also found time to coach youth basketball, walk precincts for candidates, teach at his children’s Sunday School, work for the pre-school PTA, become scorekeeper for his daughter’s softball team, and serve as ‘foot soldier’ for those leading important activities for the school and the community.
Wrote Levien: “A large number of my students come from language minority backgrounds, broken homes, poverty, or the challenging world of disability…I imagine some feel hopeless or numb on most days…If their personal condition seems futile, so does the world around them: economic collapse, terrorism, and global warming…I have recently heard scholars in diverse fields say that we are faced with problems of such enormous magnitudes that only by tapping into our creativity will we triumph over these challenges…we need each and every student to be the best they can be, to imagine a future in which they do care and are able. They must have imagination and critical thinking to solve their problems and those of the community…we must find ways to reach all students, encourage them, and measure what they CAN do.”
Wrote CTA president David Sanchez: “Phil has always labored tirelessly to provide our education profession with the leadership and creative inspiration ‘to free it from the inequities based on race or ethnicity.’ His use of Shakespeare as the vehicle for sheltered English theatrical performances empowers his students and empowers them as learners. Phil’s classes blend the very fabric of our society into theatrical productions that regularly receive rave reviews. More importantly, though, his skills and techniques help build and improve inter-group relations and construct a level of understanding and appreciation by the students that is rarely found in groups that are this diverse…His body of work and his commitment to his students has broken racial, ethnic, and social barriers. Phil’s theatrical daring has given his students better and more productive lives.”
Wrote colleague and parent Annette Holdman: “It would be difficult to find a more deserving candidate for this honor. In addition to being his colleague, I have two sons who have been his students. Phil is there for all the students, from high achievers to reluctant learners, giving them constructive feedback about their work and urging them on as they learn to analyze what they read and express themselves through writing. He gives them a solid foundation in the basics without sacrificing their creative development, and by his own example he teaches them to be life-long learners. Most of all, he is all about the students instead of himself.”
Wrote colleague and department chair David Holmes: “Mr. Levien has a heart for those students who just have not been successful in school and he works beyond his job description to nurture and develop some of these kids into successful scholars…I am constantly amazed by his organization and commitment to his students...He pairs kids up who may not otherwise relate to one another and he creates a safe place where these kids feel honored and respected...He is tireless in his pursuit of excellence for these students and seems to know when to lean on them and when to be the nurturing adult in their lives…I am proud to call Phil my colleague.”
Levien can be reached during the school year at San Marcos High School, 967-4851.