Rotary Club of Santa Barbara, Teacher Recognition Award
This award is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara. Since 1986, the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara has honored outstanding teachers from South Coast schools each year. It awards a high school, junior high, elementary, and special education teacher with a plaque and a $1,000 check to spend on classroom needs. Recipients of the club’s Teacher Recognition Awards are made with the assistance of the Teacher Programs and Support department of the Santa Barbara County Education Office. Learn more about the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara HERE.
2025-2026 Award Honorees:
Eleni Pantages- San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Hannah Barton- La Cumbre Jr. High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Pedro Guillen- Franklin Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
2024-2025 Award Honorees:
Sterling Henken- La Cumbre Jr. High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Dawn Penkala- Harding University Partnership School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Tami Gunton- Goleta Valley Jr. High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Michael Mowers- Middle College, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Learn more about the 2024-25 awards HERE.
2023-2024 Award Honorees:
Chris Cunningham- Hope School District
Sherri Bryan- Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
PJ Carmean- Santa Barbara Jr. High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Shawna Ray- Santa Barbara Community Academy, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Learn more about the 2023-24 awards HERE.
2022-2023 Award Honorees:
Jenna Turner- Harding University Partnership School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Nicole Gee- La Colina Jr. High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Verónica Ramos- Adelante Charter School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Douglas Caines- Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
2021-2022 Award Honorees:
Jill Egar- Early Childhood Assessment Team, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Hozby Galindo- La Cumbre Jr. High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Ellen Heenan- San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Allison Heiduk- Monte Vista School, Hope School District
2020-2021 Award Honorees:
Shawn Rocha- Goleta Valley Jr. High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Andrea Fuentes-Cleveland Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Mwei Banks- Alta Vista High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Staci Hendricks, Peabody Charter School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
2019-2020 Award Honorees:
Nathan Baskett- Mckinley Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Mary Gaston- Santa Barbara Unified School District
2018-2019 Award Honorees:
Barbara Barr- Roosevelt Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Bob Thomas- Santa Barbara Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Lianette Santa- Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Kim Aragon, Vieja Valley School, Hope School District (Special Education)
2017-2018 Award Honorees:
Beverly Abrams- Santa Barbara Charter School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Shannon Saleh- La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Anuroopa Kalbag- Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Tammy Shorb- Hope School, Hope School District (Special Education)
2016-2017 Award Honorees:
Mallory Price- Adams Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Justina Weinbender- Goleta Valley Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Janina Ma- San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Eric Nichoson- Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District (Special Education)
2015-2016 Award Honorees:
Marco Silva- Peabody Charter School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Nicole Caiazza- La Cumbre Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
James Bedard- La Cuesta High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Julie Grimes- La Cumbre Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District (Special Education)
2014-2015 Award Honorees:
April Van Wickle- Washington School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Marcia Merrifield- La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Maggie Light- Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Leslie MacDougall- Franklin Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District (Special Education)
2013-2014 Award Honorees:
Kristin Corpuz- Harding University Partnership School, Santa Barbara Unified School District (Special Education)
Alison Throop- Roosevelt Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Julie Kluss- Santa Barbara Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
2012-2013 Award Honorees:
Tricia Poelstra- Santa Barbara Community Academy, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Amy McMillan- Goleta Valley Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Beth Fuste- Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Arielle Curry- Monroe Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District (Special Education)
2011-2012 Award Honorees:
Graciela Rodriguez-Rubio- Adelante Charter School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Deborah Alexander- La Cumbre Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Carolyn Teraoka-Brady- San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Courtney Smith- San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District (Special Education)
2010-2011 Award Honorees:
Deanna Marchiando- Cleveland Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Deborah Reid- La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Nancy Stevens- La Cuesta High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Tina Culver- Peabody Charter School, Santa Barbara Unified School District (Special Education)
2009-2010 Award Honorees:
Joan Swanson- McKinley Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Kathy Dubock- Santa Barbara Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Richard Johnston- Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Deborah Rankin- Monroe Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District (Special Education)
2008-2009 Award Honorees:
Nancy Revlin- Monte Vista School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Sarah Sue Wadell- Goleta Valley Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Amir Abo Shaeer- Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Rosalyn Lambert- Santa Barbara School District (Special Education)
2007-2008 Award Honorees:
David Nelson- Vieja Valley School, Hope School District
Josephine Moore- La Cumbre Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
David Holmes- San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Margaret Holbrook- Goleta Valley Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District (Special Education)
2006-2007 Award Honorees:
Pam Kinsley- Harding University Partnership School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Jose Marquez- La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Kelly Baeza- La Cuesta High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Grace Wilson- Santa Barbara School District (Special Education)
2005-2006 Award Honorees:
Stephanie Lee- Hope School, Hope School District
Amy Mcmillan- Santa Barbara Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
James Golden- Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Carolyn Appleton- Roosevelt Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District (Special Education)
2004-2005 Award Honorees:
Elizabeth Varni-Rivera- Open Alternative Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Julie Tabacchi-Grimes- La Cumbre Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Kelly Choi- Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Donna Harris- Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District (Special Education)
2003-2004 Award Honorees:
Wendy Kanter- Santa Barbara Charter School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Kristi Morris- Goleta Valley Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Lawrence Gamble- San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Deborah Alexander- La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District (Special Education)
2002-2003 Award Honorees:
Maria Salas- Franklin Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Maryann Gray- La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Dr. Paul Cronshaw- La Cuesta High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Judy Mc Dermott- Monroe Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District (Special Education)
2001-2002 Award Honorees:
Jackie Lapkin- Adams Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Sandy Johnson- Santa Barbara Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Craig Moropoulous- Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Kathy Hanlely- Santa Barbara County Education Office (Special Education)
2000-2001 Award Honorees:
Marsha Honnold- Washington School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Jerry Chiu- La Cumbre Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Patsy Lindsy- Santa Barbara County Education Office (Special Education)
1999-2000 Award Honorees:
William Sylvester- Roosevelt Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Brad Penkala- Goleta Valley Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Eric Burrows- San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
1998-1999 Award Honorees:
Matt Carter- Peabody Charter School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Ted Best- La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Dave McEachon- Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
1997-1998 Award Honorees:
Peppi Chiu- Monroe Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Anne Carey- Santa Barbara Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Diana Thomas- La Cuesta High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
1996-1997 Award Honorees:
Marilyn Nicolas- Harding Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Frank Brownie- La Cumbre Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Scott O'Leary- Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
1995-1996 Award Honorees:
Viola Garcia- Franklin Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Laurie Hankenson- Goleta Valley Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Bob Gray- San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
1994-1995 Award Honorees:
Tim Quiroz- Cleveland Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Joseph Conway- La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Isaac Jenkins- Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
1993-1994 Award Honorees:
CarolAnn Phillips- Franklin Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Gloria Sanchez- Santa Barbara Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Rick Mohun- La Cuesta High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
1992-1993 Award Honorees:
Cissy Mitchell- Adams Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Erv Birzer- La Cumbre Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Ken Larson- Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
1991-1992 Award Honorees:
Carol LeGassick- Roosevelt Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Bill Sraka- Washington School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Jack Phreaner- San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
1990-1991 Award Honorees:
Linda Martin Bilyeu- Monroe Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Geraldine Thompson- Peabody Charter School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
John Richards- Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
1989-1990 Award Honorees:
Loyda Marquez- Harding Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Will Winn- Goleta Valley Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Audie Love- Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
1988-1989 Award Honorees:
Shirley Wright- Franklin Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Dave Thoreson- La Colina Junior High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Pete Relis- La Cuesta High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
1987-1988 Award Honorees:
Shirley Toeppner- Cleveland Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Lloyd Palmer- Santa Barbara Jr. High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Tom Stanton- San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
1986-1987 Award Honorees:
Sela Viscarra- Adams Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Annabelle Davis- La Cumbre Jr. High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Robert Helms- Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District