Teachers Network

Description:
Each year, ten very special people from Santa Barbara County are chosen to receive a Santa Barbara Teachers Federal Credit Union Crystal Apple Educator Award. Nominated for this award by their peers, these hard-working educators are recognized for their dedication to students and education, their instructional and motivational skills, their ability to challenge and inspire students, and their effective interaction with students, staff, and the local community.

Two or three school employees, colleagues, parents and/or students are required for nominations of educators who have provided exceptional service to students. Awards are presented at the Education Celebration on May 11, 2023. The award includes an honorarium provided by (SBTFCU).

Two awards are given in each of the following categories:

•  Elementary teacher: Grades PreK-6
•  Secondary teacher: Grades 6-12
•  Certificated support provider: e.g., a school counselor, school psychologist, certificated librarian, nurse, or any other certificated support personnel
•  Administrator: school site or district/county office
•  Classified employee: school site or district/county office

Check back in 2024.

Deadline:  March 21, 2023

Meet the previous Crystal Apple Educator Award winners HERE.

These three special awards are coordinated in partnership between the SBCEO Teachers Network, the SBCEO Teacher Induction Program, and the SBUSD Induction Program.

Description:
The Distinguished Mentor Awards are among the highest honors a teacher can receive in Santa Barbara County. The awards recognize exceptional instruction, leadership, and potential. Administrators, colleagues, or others are invited to nominate teachers for these awards. Winners are recognized at A Salute to Teachers, our annual recognition event.

These awards are granted to Mentor Teachers who are actively serving in either the SBCEO Teacher Induction Program, or the Santa Barbara Unified School District Induction Program* and exhibit:

• Exceptional dedication to supporting the professional growth of beginning teachers
• Exemplary instructional practice
• Inspiration that motivates both students and colleagues
• Dedication to the overall success of their educational organization

*Other induction programs may be eligible. Contact our office for details.

Meet the previous award winners HERE.

These three special awards are coordinated in partnership between the SBCEO Teachers Network, the SBCEO Teacher Induction Program, and the SBUSD Induction Program.

Description: 
The Distinguished New Educator Awards are among the highest honors a teacher can receive in Santa Barbara County. The awards recognize exceptional instruction, leadership, and potential. Administrators, colleagues, or others are invited to nominate teachers for these awards. Winners are recognized at A Salute to Teachers, our annual recognition event.

These awards are granted to individuals who are enrolled in either the SBCEO Teacher Induction Program, or the Santa Barbara Unified School District Induction Program* and exhibit:

• Exemplary instructional practice
• Inspiration and effective interaction with students and colleagues
• Innovative teaching methods and/or ability to overcome obstacles
• Ability to engage in a continuous cycle of reflection and instructional improvement

 *Other induction programs may be eligible. Contact our office for details.

Meet the previous award winners HERE.

Description: 
The Marvin Melvin Career Technical Educator Awards are given to two outstanding career technical educators in Santa Barbara County each year. The awards are given in partnership with Frank Schipper Construction Company and Tradart Foundation, in memory of long-time Santa Barbara High School Industrial Arts teacher, Marvin Melvin. Marvin, known for his quick wit and bow tie, taught machine shop, metal, and drafting classes. One of his students, Frank Schipper, excelled in learning and applying machine shop skills, and won a first place CA State award for building a wood lathe under Marvin’s supervision and mentorship.

One north and one south county Career Technical Educator (CTE) receives this honor annually. Principals, CTE Supervisors, ROP program administrators interested in nominating someone for this award should use the nomination form, link below. All questions should be directed to the Teachers Network. Learn more about Marvin Melvin, the man after whom the award is named HERE. 

Eligibility:
• Nominees must primarily teach CTE courses in public, grade 7-12, Santa Barbara County Schools.
• Nominees cannot have previously won the award. See previous award winners HERE.
• Nominees must have completed a minimum of three years teaching CTE.

Nominations for 2022-23 are now closed. Check back, Winter, 2024.

Description: The Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year is an annual recognition of an exemplary performing arts teacher. The SBCEO Teachers Network, in partnership with The Santa Barbara Bowl, selects one teacher based upon the content of the nomination forms. Nominations may be made on behalf of a performing arts teacher, or a performing arts teacher may nominate him/herself. The Selection Committee comprised of educators, members of the community, and Santa Barbara Bowl representatives will review all nominations.

The Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year (SBBPATOY) is an excellent instructional leader who effectively inspires the creativity of students, and serves the greater school community with performing arts. He or she also serves as an excellent voice representing the importance of performing arts for students in public education.

Within our county, we have many outstanding performing arts teachers who qualify for this special recognition. Districts, principals, and colleagues are encouraged to nominate teachers that qualify, and performing arts teachers may also self-nominate.

Eligibility:
• Any current, fully credentialed, PreK-12 teacher in Santa Barbara County.
• Primary responsibility is teaching performing arts to students.
• Completed a minimum of three years teaching performing arts in the classroom.

Previously nominated teachers are eligible.

The Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year:

• Will be recognized at the annual A Salute to Teachers event held each fall.
• May have his/her students perform at a Teachers Network event.
• May be interviewed and filmed for promotional purposes.
• May be asked to speak at other events.
• Will win a cash grant award and a VIP concert experience at The Santa Barbara Bowl.

Nominations for 2022-23 are now closed. Check back, Winter, 2024.

Meet the Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year Award Winners HERE.

Description: 
The Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year (TOY) is an annual recognition of an exemplary educator serving as a voice celebrating and representing all teachers. Each year, one PreK-12 teacher is selected based upon the content of the application, letters of support, observation of instruction, and an interview by the Selection Committee. The Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year award winner will submit an application to the California State Teacher of the Year competition.

The TOY is an excellent instructional leader and an effective communicator regarding the issues and challenges confronting teachers today. The TOY is an advocate and representative for the entire educational community. This individual represents teachers at educational forums and is called upon to speak at local service clubs and/or educational events.

The Teacher of the Year is one of the highest honors an educator can receive. Within our county we have many outstanding teachers who qualify for this special recognition. Districts are encouraged to nominate a single individual that reflects the diverse make-up of the student population and models outstanding instructional practices. Teachers may also self-nominate.

Timeline: 
December 1, 2023- District nominations are due.
January 19, 2024- All Teacher of the Year applications are due.
February 22, 2024- Finalists are determined and notified.
April, 2024- Finalists are observed and interviewed by the selection committee.
April 26, 2024- Winner is notified, though results are embargoed until May 2, 2024.
May 2, 2024- Winner is formally announced at SBCEO Board Meeting. 

Nomination Process: 
• Teachers may be nominated by their district, charter school, or self-nominate.
• Each district/charter school is invited to submit their nominee. Districts/charter schools determine their own method of choosing their nominee.
• District, charter school, and self-nominated teachers complete the application in winter.

Eligibility:
• Current & Valid California PreK-12 Teaching Credential.
• More than 8 full years of classroom teaching experience.
• Currently assigned to a PreK-12 classroom.* Some administrative duties are acceptable, but the majority of assignments must be with students.
• If selected, must be available to fulfill occasional ambassadorial duties during the year as SB County TOY, appear at two different celebration events, and serve on the TOY Selection Committee.
*NOTE: State requirements are subject to change and may affect the candidate’s eligibility for California State Teacher of the Year.

Application:
The application must be completed through our online format, InformedK12. Check back here in December, 2023 to apply for the 2025 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year Award.

Selection:
A selection committee of administrators, business and community partners, and a previous Teacher of the Year completed an initial screening of the applications. Finalists will be interviewed and observed in the classroom.

The Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year:
• Will be recognized at the Education Celebration, and A Salute to Teachers teacher recognition events.
• May be interviewed and filmed for promotional purposes.
• Will be asked to speak at local service and educational events.
• Will serve on the 2026 TOY Selection Committee.
• Will have the privilege of being SB County's sole applicant for the California State Teacher of the Year award.

Meet the Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year Award Winners HERE.