Life sciences teacher Julie Kluss was deemed an outstanding secondary teacher of the year by the Santa Barbara Rotary Club on 4/25. Calling her the “consummate professional,” Santa Barbara Junior High School Principal Lito Garcia explained Kluss works diligently to bring the “real world” into her classroom. Along with bragging rights, the award comes with a $1,000 check, which Kluss said she plans to spend on field trip buses and supplies such as DNA necklace kits and preserved dissection organs. Noting widespread excitement with the new statewide science standards, Kluss said, challenges that lie ahead include collaboration between multitudes of teachers, parents, and administrators to guarantee all students are reached. “I can’t think of anything more exciting than this emphasis on rigorous, high-quality, interdisciplinary instruction,” Kluss said of changes in education.
