Adams Elementary music teacher Brett Larsen has been named as the 2017 Performing Arts Teacher of the Year for Santa Barbara County. Created by the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) and the Santa Barbara Bowl through the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation Education Outreach, the award is the second of its kind.
Larsen is well known for his dedication to students. At Adams, according to the school press release, Larsen constantly keeps his door open, supporting students with extra tutoring before/after school and during lunch. He volunteer teaches the all-school chorus program twice a week at the Adams Musical Theatre. He has also expanded the music program, a robust instructional program for students in kindergarten through sixth grade, by securing multiple grants.
Larsen and other award-winning educators will be recognized at the fourth annual “A Salute to the Teachers” at the Lobero Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara on November 5 at 5 p.m. Larsen’s students will be providing musical entertainment and Cox Communications is sponsoring the celebration along with the SBCEO.