NEWS

Back to School with SBEF
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 at the University Club, where the leaders of our many programs came together to share updates, exchange ideas, and build [...]

Monthly Giving Adds Up For This Math Teacher
[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text css="" text_direction="default"]La Colina Junior High math teacher Tracy Womack has been with Santa [...]

Meet Everest: A Student from our Summer String Camp!
Everest Akens, a student from Carpinteria Middle School, embraced the opportunity to grow as a violinist, connect with peers, and perform as part of an ensemble. We caught up with Everest to hear about her favorite moments from camp, what she learned, and how the experience is shaping her musical journey. Here's what she had [...]

SBEF President Mat Gradias Featured on 805 Focus
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EVENTS

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.
LATEST ISSUE
Education Matters
As we close out 2025, this issue of Education Matters celebrates the impact made possible by our community.
From a powerful story highlighting the lifelong influence of music education to key insights from Superintendent Dr. Hilda Maldonado’s State of Our Schools address, this newsletter reflects a year of growth and opportunity across Santa Barbara’s public schools.
You’ll also meet SBEF’s newest board member and join us in thanking a longtime leader for his dedicated service.

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