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Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF, por sus siglas en inglés) ha estado ocupada dando inicio al año escolar 2025–26 celebrando y apoyando a los educadores y líderes que hacen que nuestras escuelas prosperen. La temporada comenzó [...]

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 [...]

La Colina Junior High math teacher Tracy Womack has been with Santa Barbara Unified for over 35 years and has had a close relationship with the Santa Barbara Education Foundation for almost as long. Tracy [...]

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 [...]

Santa Barbara Education Foundation Board President Mat Gradias recently joined Dr. Cynder Sinclair on TV Santa Barbara’s 805 Focus, a show that highlights local nonprofits and community leaders. In this thoughtful conversation, Mat shares how SBEF [...]

This summer, the SBEF celebrated its most successful season of Summer Music Camps yet. With four unique camps, this year's programs helped students develop musical skills, boost confidence, and make new friends. Nick Rail Summer [...]

On a Saturday morning, you can find a circle of students huddled around a newly planted oak sapling, their hands still dusty from digging. Nearby, parents and teachers talk and laugh over piles of mulch [...]

Pedro Paz, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, has announced his decision to step down, with his resignation effective June 7. The Board of Directors supports Pedro in his decision and extends its [...]

At the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, we believe music helps students unlock confidence, focus, and academic success. Just ask long-time Santa Barbara resident and SBEF donor Haydee Perez, whose son, RJ, transformed his learning journey [...]

On Thursday, April 24, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) hosted the Hope Awards to celebrate creativity and recognize individuals and programs making a lasting difference for students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. [...]

Legacy Society member Debbie Arnesen talks to SBEF's Nina Dunbar about a friendship and other events that led her to a much deeper involvement with public education in Santa Barbara. Last December, the Santa Barbara [...]

On Tuesday, March 11, the Santa Barbara School Board voted 3-to-2 to approve preliminary cuts to 85 teachers at the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Many of the cuts included arts and music educator positions. [...]

Santa Barbara High School educator Patricia Ruth has a long-standing collaboration with Bright Torches, a dynamic organization dedicated to making Shakespeare accessible and engaging for young learners. With 26 years of experience, Ruth has seen [...]

Para un joven músico en Santa Bárbara, el sonido de la posibilidad llegó en forma de una trompeta donada. Para otro, fue un violín, perfectamente adaptado para manos pequeñas ansiosas por aprender. Estos instrumentos, que [...]

For one young musician in Santa Barbara, the sound of possibility came in the form of a donated trumpet. For another, it was a violin, perfectly sized for small hands eager to learn. Once sitting [...]