Lissa Lee named l996 County Teacher of the Year

Lissa Lee, a teacher of Spanish and English as a Second Language for 7th and 8th grade students at Santa Barbara Junior High, was named 1996 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made at a press conference June 12 by County Superintendent of Schools Bill Cirone.

Mrs. Lee, one of a number of outstanding countywide nominees for the honor, was selected by a five-person committee composed of teachers and representatives from PTAs  and school boards.

Superintendent Cirone expressed hearty congratulations for Mrs. Lee’s professionalism, enthusiasm, and successes with a broad range of students.

Lee received her B.A. from the University of California at Santa Barbara, spending one summer at  the University of Guadalajara and two years at the University of Costa Rica.    She earned her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and her teaching credential from Chapman College.  She has taken graduate courses at Cal Lutheran, Christ Church College, Sonoma State University, Harvard Graduate School, the University of Minnesota, and has two years of study toward a Ph.D. at UCSB.  This past summer she studied as a Fullbright Scholar in Mexico and she will be studying this coming summer as a King Juan Carlos Fellowship recipient in Spain.

She has earned two teacher mentorships in the Santa Barbara District, two IMPACT II disseminator awards and one adapter grant.  Her awards include Community in the Classroom, the John Greenleaf Whittier award, and the Galland Award.  She also was named the PTA’s Outstanding Teacher.

Her community involvement is staggering and her volunteer efforts have brought her in touch with numerous schools on the South Coast.  She has worked as a counselor and riding instructor, organizing horse shows and working with younger children in the Santa Barbara Riding Club.  She did volunteer teaching of Spanish at Vieja Valley and  English as a Second Language instruction at Washington School.  She helped with Spanish-speaking children in the preschool program at Monroe and the Spanish/ESL classes at La Cumbre Junior High.  She has done numerous volunteer programs with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

At Dos Pueblos and San Marcos high schools, where she worked as Link Liaison and Migrant Education Supervisor, she was involved in many volunteer activities involving students.  She also helped with the Sister City’s Puerto Vallarta Program.

In addition, Lee developed a course in medical vocabulary and terminology for Santa Barbara Medical Clinic and worked with medical insurance in Spanish at Sansum Medical Clinic.  At Santa Barbara General Hospital and College Hospital, she did volunteer translation and interpretation for Spanish speaking patients.  At Santa Barbara Junior High she is involved with the Language Club, the Dance Group and Language Olympiad Programs.

Said Lee:  “In order to learn another language, an individual must view reality through another’s eyes.  What he has done and where he has been are not of prime importance.  What truly matters is what one does with where he has been and what he has done.”

Wrote Donald Bennett, director of instruction support services for the Santa Barbara School Districts:  “To enter the classroom of Lissa Lee is to embark on experiential learning.  From the instant awareness of a colorful environment of beautiful posters, decorations, and artifacts, to the sounds of Mariachis or other melodious Spanish music, you immediately sense a warmth that invites you to become a part of the lesson. ... Under the guidance of Ms. Lee, the students go out into the community to partake in cultural activities...All of this is routine teaching for this extraordinary teacher...Lissa eagerly shares the excitement and love she has for teaching...It is wonderful to recognize someone like Lissa who give so much of herself for the benefit of her students.”

Wrote Maureen Mullin, curriculum coordinator for foreign languages in the Santa Barbara High School District:  “I don’t think that I know anyone who is so dedicated both to her students and to her own professional growth...She continues her education every summer by apply for and receiving grants to study in Spanish-speaking countries.  She is certainly one of the best prepared teachers because she is always learning and updating her knowledge through projects, travel, research, and personal contacts with the parents of the student sin her classes. She is a master in using a variety of communicative skills in the classroom...Her devotion to her students does not end with the school day. She is always involved in so many after-school activities with her students, including singing and dance groups, cultural celebrations and personal counseling to name just a few...She is always willing to share her ideas and success with her fellow teachers.  She is a very unselfish and giving person.”

Wrote her principal, John Mendoza:  “Mrs. Lee is clearly the hardest working teacher on my staff. She...contributes countless hours to developing projects and programs for her students...She consistently challenges herself to develop new and effective ways of improving the instruction for her students...She is a joy to work with and is an inspiration to her colleagues.”

Lee’s nomination will next be reviewed for consideration as California Teacher of the Year.  The California winner will then proceed into consideration for National Teacher of the Year. 

As Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Lee will be available to speak countywide, and can be reached at Santa Barbara Junior High School or at the County Education Office, by calling Nancy Emerson at 964-4711, ext. 282.