News Release

May 6, 2004

Teachers Network celebrates 20th year

The Teachers Network celebrated its 20th year of recognizing and sharing outstanding teaching ideas at a gala Education Celebration at the Rancho Santa Barbara Marriott in Buellton on Thursday, May 6 sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Education Office.

Several local educators were among 25 teachers to garner The Teachers Network grants and among 10 to win Venoco, Inc. Crystal Apple Awards at the annual dinner.

Below is a listing of The Teachers Network grant recipients, by geographic location.
The Crystal Apples were awarded in five categories in North and South County.

North County:
Elementary Teacher: Charlotte Ochoa, May Grisham, Orcutt Union School District
Secondary teacher: Laura Lee Parks, Lompoc HS, Lompoc Unified School District
Support Teacher: Carol Adams, La Honda, Lompoc Unified School District
Administrator: Alan Majewski, Alice Shaw, Orcutt Union School District
Classified: Rosa Chavez, Lompoc HS, Lompoc Unified School District

South County:
Elementary Teacher: Deborah Gans, Ellwood, Goleta Union School District
Secondary teacher: Melanie Jacobson, San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara High School District
Support Teacher: Kathleen McIntosh, Washington, Santa Barbara Elementary School District
Administrator: David Cash, Dos Pueblos HS, Santa Barbara High School District
Classified Employee: Rosa Cavaletto, Washington, Santa Barbara Elementary School District

County Superintendent Bill Cirone was honored for his vision in bringing the national program to Santa Barbara County 20 years ago. Long-time funding partners were also honored, including ExxonMobil Foundation, which provided the initial seed grant 20 years ago; Kendall and Lloyd Mills, 18 years; Los Padres Bank, 18 years; Raytheon, 18 years; Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, 18 years; Atlas Performance Industries, 16 years; Montgomery, Fansler, Carlton & Valois Insurance, 16 years; Lockheed Martin Space Systems, 15 years; and Santa Barbara Teachers Credit Union, 15 years. Currently there are 107 business partners.

The Teachers Network is designed to recognize and share outstanding teaching ideas that Santa Barbara County’s teachers have developed. It also provides opportunities for its teacher members to enhance teacher leadership skills for school-wide reform. It is part of a national program with more than 30,000 teacher members. Business partners provide the funding, through this cost-effective program for teacher grants, teacher attendance at recognition events, and the annual Curriculum Catalog. The Santa Barbara County Education Office provides funding for day-to-day operation of the program.

Further information is available from Carol Gregor at the Santa Barbara County Education Office, 964-4711, ext. 5281.