Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year named 2024 California Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to the newly named 2024 California Teacher of the Year: Santa Ynez High School social sciences teacher Gregory Wolf

Gregory Wolf, a social sciences teacher at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School (SYVUHS), was announced today as 2024 California Teacher of the Year, the highest state recognition a teacher can earn.

The California Teacher of the Year serves as an ambassador of the profession and as a representative of the state for the calendar year, said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who delivered the news to Wolf personally.

“I’m overwhelmed and speechless,” said Wolf on Monday, adding that he is still processing the news. “This is a wonderful validation of my efforts to put my students at the center of everything and allow them more ownership of their own learning.”

Described by his colleagues as the “undisputable heartbeat” of the SYVUHS social sciences department – Wolf teaches U.S. History, Political Science, and Advanced Placement Psychology and has served as the social sciences department chair, vice president of the Parent Teacher Student Association, and Associated Student Body activities director. A teacher for 10 years, Wolf was named the 2024 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year this past spring, qualifying him to be considered for the top state recognition.

Andrew Schwab, Superintendent of the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, said he and the school community are thrilled for Mr. Wolf. “Greg is a phenomenal teacher and I honestly cannot think of a more deserving educator. He exemplifies what we want to see in education for the 21st Century. We were all rooting for him, and we are thrilled to see him awarded.”

Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido was elated by the news and said she looks forward to recognizing the achievement on November 4, at SBCEO’s A Salute to Teachers event, where Wolf will now be celebrated as both the Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year and the California Teacher of the Year. “Recognition at this level is a testament to Mr. Wolf’s unwavering commitment to excellence in education, his dedication to nurturing the minds and hearts of our students, and his tireless efforts to inspire a love for learning in the classroom. We look forward to seeing the positive influence he will have as a statewide ambassador of education.”

When Wolf was applying for the County Teacher of the Year, he was invited to put words to his teaching philosophy: “My class needs to be a safe space where all students feel seen and heard. My classroom experience is designed to put students at the center of everything. I aim to give students ownership of their own learning with the goal of facilitating engagement, development of critical thinking skills, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that will hopefully fuel every student’s desire to pursue success in their own lives beyond the classroom.”

Being selected as the California Teacher of the Year is a rare achievement and the result of a multi-faceted process. In the fall, all Santa Barbara County school districts are invited to submit a nomination for County Teacher of the Year. Teachers can also self-nominate. The SBCEO Teachers Network and a team of selection committee members conduct an extensive review, interview process, and classroom observation of the nominees. Once an individual is named County Teacher of the Year, they are eligible to apply for the statewide award, which also includes its own series of interviews and reviews.

Presented by the California Department of Education (CDE) and supported by the California Teachers of the Year Foundation, the California Teachers of the Year Program began in 1972 to honor outstanding teachers and encourage and inspire new teachers to enter the profession.

Wolf joins four other teachers from across the state who were also named 2024 Teachers of the Year.

Earning the prestigious California Teacher of the Year award is rare. In Santa Barbara County, past awardees are: Eric Burrows of Santa Barbara Unified School District (2005); Chris Mullin of Santa Ynez Joint Union High School District (2003); and Carmen Candelaria from Santa Maria-Bonita School District (1993). In 1952, Geraldine Jones of the Hope School District was named National Teacher of the Year.

At our upcoming A Salute to Teachers event, SBCEO and co-founding sponsor, Cox Communications, will honor Wolf along with other award-winning teachers from Santa Barbara County.