The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara
has selected Julie Kluss, a life sciences teacher at Santa Barbara Junior High
School in the Santa Barbara Unified School District, as its outstanding
secondary teacher of the year.
Since 1986, the club has honored
three outstanding teachers from South Coast schools each year. It awards a
secondary, elementary, and special education teacher with a certificate and a
$1,000 check to spend on classroom needs.
Kluss was recognized at the club’s
luncheon meeting April 25. Prior winners of the Teacher Recognition Award this
year were Kristin Corpuz, a special education teacher at Harding University
Partnership School, and Alison Throop, a first-grade teacher at Roosevelt
School.
“This kind of continuing support
for local educators is priceless,” said Santa Barbara County Superintendent of
Schools Bill Cirone, whose office coordinates the recognition with the Rotary
Club of Santa Barbara. “These Rotary awards make a direct, immediate impact for
children by helping outstanding teachers enhance their classroom experience.”
“The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara
is committed to supporting the Santa Barbara County Education Office, and
honoring excellent local teachers like Julie Kluss,” said Roland S.
Christopher, chairman of the Teacher Recognition Committee of the Rotary Club
of Santa Barbara. “Rotary of Santa Barbara and Rotary International members
know that educators like Julie Kluss are shaping our local youth into
successful citizens who will be our future community leaders. Her passion for
education is an inspiration to all in our great community.”
“Julie is an outstanding educator,”
said Lito Garcia, principal of Santa Barbara Junior High School. “She is always
seeking opportunities to take her craft to the next level. In addition, Julie
is always collaborating with outside organizations to provide a richer
experience for all her students. Julie cares deeply about her students and
makes a point of contacting each family at the beginning of school to introduce
herself and inform the parents/guardians that she is always available to
support their son or daughter.
“Julie has volunteered to be on
several school committees, which shows her commitment to ensure that all
students, not just her students, at SBJHS will have an outstanding experience
academically, socially and emotionally,” her principal added. “I feel very
honored to work with Julie and I feel grateful that she is providing an
incredible educational experience for the students at SBJHS.”
“My educational belief is that
today's students are the architects of the future,” Kluss said. “Our job as
teachers is to facilitate their vision by giving them the concepts and skills
for success in the 21st century. My instructional approach is to give students
opportunities to explore current scientific research, methods, and researchers
through community and project-based, experiential learning. I believe in
creating differentiated learning challenges that inspire and support students
at every level. Working with my colleagues and students is an honor I receive
every day.”
Kluss teaches seventh-grade life
science classes and has been a physical science teacher at Santa Barbara Junior
High School for the past 13 years. Prior to her work there, she worked as the
outreach educator and a docent at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
and the Sea Center. She is nearly done earning her Gifted and Talented
Education credential through the UCSB extension program.
She lives in Goleta with her
husband, Scott, and their two children.
The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara
meets at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort in Santa Barbara for lunch from noon
to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays. 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.
For more information, visit teacherprograms.sbceo.org
or santabarbararotary.com.
