Lompoc Teacher Receives Inaugural
Santa Barbara County Performing Arts Teacher of the Year Award

At the Santa Barbara Bowl, we derive great happiness from investing in future artists and audiences through performing arts education in the community. In fact, it’s part of our Mission Statement. That’s why, in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), we created the Santa Barbara County Performing Arts Teacher of the Year award.

It’s a simple mission with a big awesome!

The award supports performing arts in the community by shining the spotlight on teachers who light the creative fires of students all over the County. For the inaugural award, long-time Lompoc High School drama teacher Sarah Barthel was named the 2016 Performing Arts Teacher of the Year for Santa Barbara County.

Barthel is the director of the LHS Drama department, where she oversees all aspects of production — from set design to costuming to training and acting. She is also involved with Lompoc Civic Theatre (LCT), a community theatre organization that produces multiple dramatic presentations every year. She has encouraged a working relationship between LHS Drama and LCT, and the two organizations collaborate regularly on dramatic productions.

Barthel’s students will provide entertainment as part of the “A Salute to Teachers” program, a gala event recognizing seven award-winning educators from Santa Barbara County, which will be held at the historic Lobero Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara on Nov. 14 at 5 p.m.

“I am truly honored to have been selected as the Performing Arts Teacher of the Year for Santa Barbara County,” Barthel said. “It is a privilege to work with the students at Lompoc High School every day. I love being part of a process that helps them realize they are capable of more than they ever imagined, both onstage and off.”

Barthel has also worked diligently to expose her students to the world outside of LHS Drama. She has led numerous class trips to the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts, as well as two student trips to New York City. She also organizes opportunities for elementary students to see portions of LHS drama productions and engage students in “question and answer” sessions regarding various aspects of theatre. Through this outreach, Sarah is nurturing a passion for performing arts in a new generation of students who will hopefully grow and develop their interests as they approach high school age.

“Sarah’s passion, energy, and enthusiasm for the performing arts has inspired students of all ages to embrace, nurture, and support the arts in both their professional and personal lives,” says County Superintendent of Schools Bill Cirone. “We are deeply grateful to the Santa Barbara Bowl for partnering with our office on this important recognition, and sincerely appreciate Cox Communications’ sponsorship of “A Salute to Teachers,” where Sarah’s excellent work can be showcased for educators and community partners from around the county.”

The Santa Barbara Bowl Education Outreach believes the arts are critical for human existence, essential to the development of a healthy society, and should be accessible to all individuals.

To learn more about how you can help, visit https://sbbowl.com/outreach/education/education_outreach.