Beyond the Classroom: Santa Maria-Bonita Honors Educators at 2nd Annual Awards Gala
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - The second annual Excellence In Education awards gala recognized the work of some of Santa Maria-Bonita’s top district educators.
This is a new tradition to recognize teachers and other school employees who go above and beyond the call of duty.
The awards come in three categories, acknowledging Classified Employees such as custodians and aides, Certificated Employees—the teachers, coaches, and licensed mentors—and Administrative Employees like principals and district officials.
The formal gala took place on Friday night at the Santa Maria Fairpark Convention Center, acknowledging the work of 29 honorees known throughout the district for their outstanding contributions.
“I knew that I was being recognized for being one of four, administrators in our district that were being honored, but I had no idea that I would get the top honor,” says Katie Ibarra, one of the top winners who works for the district.
Top winners were announced at the gala, including Katie Ibarra, Program Specialist For Special Education, who has only held that position for about a year, and Lucy Castaneda, 30-year office manager at El Camino Junior High.
“I’ve been here 32 years of my life, and I wouldn't leave this school for, for any reason,” says Lucy Castaneda, El Camino Jr. High Office Manager.
Sentiments from the top winners align with the gala’s ultimate mission, which is to foster inspiration and connection as much as to celebrate achievements.
“I wish everybody could be recognized because there's a lot of people out there,” says Castaneda. “I want to give special thank you’s to my office staff. They're wonderful, and I love them.”
Honorees say they wouldn’t be winning anything if it weren’t for the people they work with every day.
“I know that the work I do, while I'm not directly, in contact with students anymore, I just know that by supporting my team members, it reaches the students,” says Ibarra.
Schoolsfirst Federal Credit Union is the leading community sponsor of the festive evening with awards presentations, live music, and catered food.
The highlighted honorees say their work is challenging but the rewards go beyond being recognized, and that they view the teams they work with as extended family.
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