Lois Capps: “Today is National Teacher Appreciation Day, and I wish to pay tribute to 4 remarkable teachers on the central coast of…”

“Today is National Teacher Appreciation Day, and I wish to pay tribute to 4 remarkable teachers on the central coast of California. What a joy this is. Last month Tory Babcock, an English teacher at Santa Ynez High School, was named Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year. She was cited for her work in challenging students to embrace reading and writing, as well as her professionalism, her enthusiasm and success in motivating students in the classroom and beyond. She will be considered for California Teacher of the Year in the fall. Dr. Ed Avila was recently chosen by Hispanic Magazine as Hispanic Teacher of the Year. Dr. Avila is the director of the Endeavour Academy, an engineering and applied science preparatory school within a public school. A national panel of Hispanic leaders and educators selected Dr. Avila for exhibiting excellence in curriculum innovation, subject competence and the ability to motivate students. Just last week, Kevin Statom was chosen by Lucia Mar School District as Teacher of the Year. As head of the Arroyo Grande High School math department, Mr. Statom has been praised specifically for his efforts to get disinterested students turned on to math. Students at the high school praised him for spending at least 20 hours a week outside the classroom giving them the extra help they need. Finally, Mark Fairbank, a Paso Robles High science teacher, was recently chosen as one of the three best teachers in California.”