News Release
June 6, 2007
Dickey, Faulkner and Garza named 2007-08 Santa Barbara County Distinguished Educators
Melanie Dickey, an English teacher at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School; Kimberly Faulkner, a kindergarten teacher at Hope School; and Marilyn Garza, a math and physical science teacher at Santa Barbara Junior High School, were named 2007-08 Santa Barbara County Distinguished Educators by County Superintendent of Schools William J. Cirone at a press conference announcing the awards called during the monthly meeting of the county board of education June 7.
Distinguished Educators comprise a category formed to acknowledge outstanding teachers in the Teacher of the Year awards program. “Melanie Dickey, Kimberly Faulkner, and Marilyn Garza exemplify 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 the 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 and administrators, expressed strong feelings that the application and credentials Dickey, Faulkner, and Garza 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 these outstanding educators.
“This is our way of publicly announcing how very grateful and proud we are of their efforts and successes,” said Mr. Cirone.
Ole Pedersen a history and social studies teacher at Orcutt Junior High School, was named County Teacher of the Year in May.
Melanie Dickey teaches ninth grade English and ninth through twelfth grade English Language Development at Santa Ynez High. She received a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and her teaching credentials from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She began teaching at Isla Vista School in Goleta, where she taught second, third, fourth, and fifth graders. Since 1996 she has taught English, English Honors, and English Language Development, at Santa Ynez High, where she is also choir accompanist and former AVID coordinator.
She has served as a master teacher for Chapman University, a BTSA support teacher for beginning teachers, and has served on the National School Reform Faculty, the Critical Friends Group leader, and the Model Schools Conference. She has been named Teacher of the Month, and has won Teachers Network Disseminator and Adapter Grants.
She volunteers each summer in the Vacation Bible School program at Valley Christian Fellowship and has served as music director for the AWANA program at Trinity Baptist Church.
Wrote colleague and parent Diane Siegal: “Melanie Dickey is a highly regarded and much beloved teacher…She often shares her expertise and good cheer with her colleagues and has been a mentor to many new teachers…I was greatly influenced by her superlative organization, dedication, intelligence, and unabashed skill and pleasure in teaching…It is clear that she loves her work and cares about her students on both a professional and personal level. She is beloved by many, and former students often return to visit.”
Wrote student Luis Garfias: “Her class gave me that confidence to take the advantage of all of her lessons in order to improve my second language. Her ability to manage students, to share the classroom, and to interact with other teachers is outstanding. She has the special ingredient that makes her class to be deliciously enjoyable. Her motivation was the best that she made me feel that I can pursue higher education. The support and academic help she gave me has been determinant to chose the future I want to live. There is just no comparison among the other teachers I have had throughout my years in high school. Mrs. Dickey without a doubt is the best teacher in the world.”
Wrote student Chelsea Hanson: “Every day was something new to look forward to. Before, English was essays, books, and occasional poetry. Now Mrs. Dickey, she was exciting and used strategic methods that has us using our minds without us even knowing...Melanie is so much more than a person who teaches at school; she has inspired me, and one day I would like to model myself after her...She has changed so many people’s lives over the course of her 17 years of teaching. I have never come across someone with the drive and love that she has, and always passes on to her kids. I was one of them and know that without her, a part of me would be missing.”
Kimberly Faulkner has taught for 32 years, 24 in her current position as kindergarten teacher at Hope School. She received a bachelor’s degree in history from Long Beach State, took classes and did student teaching at Cal Poly and UCSB, and received her master’s degree in education from Grand Canyon University.
She began teaching second, third, and fourth grade in the College District in Santa Ynez. She was then asked to teach at College District’s former San Marcos Elementary School off Paradise Road, where she taught third through sixth graders. She did substitute teaching after her son was born and returned to a half-time position at Cold Springs School. She was then hired by the Hope District to teach second grade at Monte Vista, and then eventually went into the newly reopened Hope School, where she has taught kindergarten for 24 years.
She has served as vice president, secretary, and membership chair of the Hope District Teachers Association, and has also served as a physical education mentor, a BTSA support teacher, and a master teacher to student teachers from Antioch, Cal State Northridge, and Westmont. She has been an active volunteer with the American Cancer Society, Direct Relief International, The Arthritis Foundation, and the Leukemia Society, among others.
Wrote parent Sharon Allen: “I am grateful that all three of my children received their introduction into formalized education from the incomparable Mrs. Faulkner. Students that experience a teacher of her caliber are so fortunate. She is a phenomenal teacher – one of those that can reach the soul of a child and make a difference that will last a lifetime…Her energy, passion, and joy exude from her the moment the classroom door is open. She creates a fun, positive, nurturing class environment…She truly has a gift for bringing out the best in every child…To her students, she is larger than life, and I just say, I hold her in the same esteem.”
Wrote Special Education Coordinator Susan Reeves: “Kim is the ultimate kindergarten teacher. Her classroom is run with kindness and precision. Every child has a voice and the opportunity to learn and express themselves in their own unique way…What makes Kim unique is her attitude and dedication…She always listens to each student...She also engages students with special needs and includes them in all of the activities…She sets the best environment conducive to learning for this age group. She has poise and grace and yet also enjoys the fun activities in class. She is dependable, reliable, quick, intelligent, dedicated, loving, kind, calm, friendly, and she leads and teaches with certainty.”
Wrote principal Patrick Plamondon: “Kim Faulkner ranks within the top one percent of teachers with whom I have served in my 32 years in education. She is bright, positive and a problem solver…I particularly appreciated her absolute belief in and willingness to work with children who had exceptional needs…Parents, students and her colleagues respected her compassion, judgment, and eagerness to share her skills.”
Marilyn Garza, has taught eight grade physical science and math at Santa Barbara Junior High School for 11 years.
She earned her bachelor of science degree in materials science engineering from University of California at Berkeley and her masters of education degree and teaching credential from UC Santa Barbara.
She teaches eighth grade science, math, and video production and has been a member of Women Educators in Science and Technology (WEST).
She has served as a BTSA mentor for beginning teachers, mentoring seven first- and second-year science teachers for eight years. She has taken part in the South Coast Science Institute, the Research Experience for Teachers program, GATE training and conferences, and the Science Partnership for School Innovation. She has been awarded three IMPACT II disseminator grants and has been recipient of a LEAPS National Science Foundation grant (Let’s Explore Applied Physical Science), for which she is lead teacher at her school. She has served on the STAR Science content Review Panel, the South Coast Science Project, and has attended conferences regarding closing the achievement gap.
Wrote former student teacher and colleague Aaron Sottile: “She was recognized in the teaching credential program as one of the strongest middle school science teaches in the district. Upon observing in her classroom, I saw a teacher working magic, putting together an intriguing, engaging curriculum, weaved with enthusiasm for her subject, strong core knowledge, dedication to excellence and always focused on student achievement…Marilyn tirelessly reflects upon her teaching experience to alter, change, and further improve even the most successful elements of her curriculum…I cannot think of a finer, more thoughtful, inspiring, dedicated teacher than Marilyn Garza.”
Wrote principal John Becchio: “Marilyn Garza is one of Santa Barbara Junior High School’s most valued teachers. She is a leader among her colleagues, very well-organized, and energetic…Additionally, I have watched Marilyn play a key role in the development of quality teachers in our community…Finally, Marilyn has a passion for teaching science that is unmatched. She spends long hours on her work and is 100% dedicated to her students. She is a teacher that inspires students each and every day.”
Wrote California Nanosystems Institute Education Director Fiona Goodchild: “Marilyn is a remarkable teacher, clear in her expectations, patient in her explanations and encouraging in her feedback on performance. She demonstrates the qualities that have enabled her to make such a positive contribution so science education in Santa Barbara County. The first is her own curiosity and enthusiasm for her subject…Second is her belief that every student can gain from learning science, especially in terms of understanding the world around them…a third asset is her vision of how to integrate scientific researchers into K-12 school programs…In my role as an education director, I have worked with over 50 teachers it he last 12 years and I regard Marilyn as one of the most creative, an exemplary professional who is committed to finding ways to motivate students and inspire colleagues…She is a natural leader and a wonderful model for the teaching profession.”
Further information about the Distinguished Educators award is available from Louise Fisher at the County Education Office, 964-4710, ext. 5281.