TUSTIN, Calif.–SchoolsFirst FCU has announced its sponsorship of the Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year and Classified School Employees of the Year annual recognition programs.
The Teacher of the Year award recognizes one PreK-12 educator from a school in Santa Barbara County as an exemplary voice celebrating and representing all teachers. Separately, the Classified School Employees of the Year award recognizes multiple winners from nine classified school employment categories. These awards are among the highest honors an educator or classified employee in Santa Barbara County can receive.
The 2025 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year winner is Laura Branch, a science teacher at Ernest Righetti High School (ERHS) in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. In addition, four Santa Barbara County classified school employees were recognized for their work as 2024 Classified School.
Employees of the Year:
- Nancy Barclay, lead custodian at El Camino Elementary in Lompoc Unified School District
- Marianne Heuchert, office manager for the Child Nutrition Department in Orcutt Union School District
- Kara Lane, librarian and media specialist at Joe Nightingale School in Orcutt Union School District
- Deborah “Debbie” Smith, school office assistant at Mountain View Elementary in Goleta Union School District
Each of the honorees will represent Santa Barbara County in California’s statewide competition.
“Teachers and classified school employees such as these winners are instrumental in fostering an environment for learning that creates a positive impact for students, laying the groundwork for their future accomplishments,” said Carol Chaney, senior school and community relations specialist for SchoolsFirst FCU. “It is important that we recognize their contributions to our schools, students and communities, as well as the dedication and innovation they demonstrate in their work.”