Event to honor new teachers and their mentors

By Santa Ynez Valley Star Staff · Tue Mar 17 2020

Staff Report

Eight exemplary educators in Santa Barbara County, including two Santa Ynez Valley teachers, will be honored at the seventh annual Salute to Teachers gala sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), Cox Communications, and other organizations.

The event will be held Nov. 2 at the Music Academy of the West.

Three teachers have been chosen as Distinguished New Educators, and three  others have been recognized as Distinguished Mentors. Also being honored will be Michele Frantz, the 2020 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year, and Bree Jansen, 2020 Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year.

Frantz is a first-grade teacher at Joe Nightingale School in the Orcutt Union School District, and Jansen is an English and performing/visual arts teacher at Lompoc High School in the Lompoc Unified School District.

The Distinguished New Educators, nominated by their peers and chosen by a committee through SBCEO, are: