The Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) Education Foundation will honor 53 exemplary teachers at Teacher Tribute on April 16, 2014 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons. One teacher from each public school was selected by their peers for providing excellent classroom instruction and leadership and will be honored by school superintendents and administrators of all five Santa Clarita school districts at this special evening event. Schools in the Santa Clarita Valley continue to be considered in the top echelon of public schools in California, due in most part to the critical role our teachers play.

Refreshments will begin at 5 pm followed by the program at 6 pm, which will include entertainment by talented students and speakers from local schools. This year the SCV Education Foundation is pleased to announce State Superintendent of Instruction Tom Torlakson as a guest speaker.

With more than 1,700 teachers honored thus far over the past 30 years, this annual event allows the community, businesses and individuals to recognize the outstanding teachers who educate local youth—the leaders of tomorrow.

Teacher Tribute is open to the public. Individual tickets are $45 each and can be purchased online at www.scveducationfoundation.org/teacher_tribute. Proceeds from this event support the programs and services of the SCV Education Foundation. The event will be held at The Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center on the College of the Canyons campus at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Valencia.

The SCV Education Foundation began as an Education Committee for the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce in 1984 to develop partnerships between local businesses and public schools. In order to focus solely on education and increase support for our programs the Education Committee decided to form a foundation. In 1995 the SCV Education Foundation qualified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable foundation.

Through the Student Enrichment Awards program, more than $550,000 in materials has been donated to teachers for a variety of school projects that include computer software, science equipment, literacy materials and the arts. Programs that support academics in the classrooms and beyond include READ WITH ME!, a volunteer-based service that works with children on reading skills, and scholarships that are awarded to high school seniors going into the educational field. Other events include Principal for a Day, which pairs business and community leaders with educators at all SCV public schools and Santa Clarita’s Literacy & Arts Festival to promote, encourage and expose families to the importance and fun of reading and the visual and performing arts in our lives.

For further reference go to www.scveducationfoundation.org or contact info@scveducationfoundation.org or 661-414-4465