Santa Barbara County Performing Arts Teacher of the Year Named

Aniela Hoffman, a music teacher at Arellanes Junior High School in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, has been named the 2019 Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year for Santa Barbara County. The award was created in 2015, in a partnership between the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) and the Santa Barbara Bowl through the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation Education Outreach, which is dedicated to supporting performing arts in the community. Hoffman will succeed Garson Olivieri, a music teacher at Cabrillo High School in Lompoc, as the Performing Arts Teacher of the Year next academic year.

“One of Santa Barbara Bowl’s Education Outreach priorities is ensuring access to the performing arts for all youth in Santa Barbara County,” says Karen Kerns, the Bowl’s Education Outreach Committee Chair and Vice President of the Board. “Educators like Aniela play a vital role in positively enhancing the lives of students every day. We thank Aniela for her dedication to her students and to her community. We are excited to support this award and teachers like her.”

Hoffman, who has been a music teacher for 18 years, will be honored at the sixth annual “A Salute to Teachers,” a gala event recognizing award-winning educators from Santa Barbara County, to be held next fall. The event partners SBCEO with Cox Communications and a variety of sponsors. Cox has sponsored a similar celebration for over 25 years in San Diego, and is honored to continue this great tradition of teacher recognition for Santa Barbara County educators.

“Aniela is dedicated to enriching our students’ lives with music not just here and now, but for their futures,” said Arellanes Principal Genevieve Beaird. “She never stops supporting her students’ growth and passion for music.”

“Aniela has a passion, energy, and enthusiasm for the performing arts that inspire young students to develop an enduring appreciation for music and the arts,” says County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Susan Salcido. “We are grateful for the Santa Barbara Bowl’s sponsorship of the Performing Arts Teacher of the Year Award, as it underscores the importance of the performing arts in a well-rounded education.”

“The Santa Barbara Bowl works hand in hand with many community organizations to help enrich the lives of everyone,” adds Rick Boller, the Bowl Foundation’s Executive Director. “By leveraging the success of the Bowl’s Concert Seasons, we are able to help support programs like a Community Ticket Subsidy, Instrument Fund, the SBCEO Teachers Network Performing Arts Curriculum Project Grants, as well as the Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to Aniela Hoffman on her success in the classroom and her impact on the world of performing arts.”