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As a child, Stephen Hughes took an Orff class at a local music school, where he fell in love with music. This inspired him to take piano lessons and later join the band and choir [...]

On Thursday, April 23, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) hosted its 40th Celebration, marking four decades of impact in support of students and public schools in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. The milestone [...]

For Santa Barbara High School student Ofelia Jarabo, dance is more than just a performance. It’s a celebration of culture, history, and community. When she stepped into the role of president of the Baile Folklórico [...]

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) will host Wealth of Knowledge, a free financial literacy workshop designed specifically for educators, on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The half-day session aims to give teachers the tools and [...]

Looking out at a crowd of students gathered with their advisors and parents, Santa Barbara Education Foundation Board Member Isis Castañeda captured the spirit of the evening in a few simple words: “It’s about the [...]

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation is proud to support the Santa Barbara Unified’s 2nd Annual Family Literacy Festival, a free community event celebrating the joy of reading, learning, and family connection. The festival will take [...]

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) is pleased to announce that Vanessa Pelton has been named as its new Executive Director. Pelton will begin her role on March 3, 2026. Pelton joins SBEF as the [...]

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) celebrated a milestone year for its Educator Grants program, awarding a record-breaking $228,000 to educators across the Santa Barbara Unified School District at its annual Educator Grants Awards Reception [...]

On the walls of the Santa Barbara Junior High School library, framed photographs quietly tell students’ stories: a bus ride in the early morning, friends gathered around a birthday cake, a kite flying high above. [...]

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The Santa Barbara Education Foundation extends our heartfelt appreciation to Mat Gradias, who is stepping down from the board after seven years of dedicated service, including four years as Board President. Under Mat's steady leadership, [...]

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Maggie Mason taught a wide range of English classes during her 25 years at Dos Pueblos High School. When she retired in 2019, she could have been satisfied knowing that many students had developed their [...]

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brett Larsen to its Board of Directors as a Teacher Representative. A dedicated music educator in the Santa Barbara Unified School District, [...]

When Monte Vista Elementary music teacher Krissie Cook dropped her daughter Annie off at Nick Rail Summer Band Camp this year, it felt like déjà vu. Decades earlier, Krissie was one of the first young [...]

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation has been busy kicking off the 2025–26 school year by celebrating and supporting the educators and leaders who make our schools thrive. The season began with our Program Directors Luncheon [...]