Santa Barbara, CA – The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) will host its 14th Annual Hope Awards Benefit Reception, Saturday, April 12th at the Carrillo Recreation Ballroom. The Santa Barbara Education Foundation’s HOPE Awards annually honors those who are champions of public education in our community. These honorees hold a long and valued history of commitment to local public schools.

This year’s honorees are Jon Clark, President of the James S. Bower Foundation, and Annette Cordero, Professor at SBCC and former Trustee of the Santa Barbara Board of Education.

“John and Annette are unique individuals whose collective advocacy for children in classrooms has benefited everyone in our community,” said Craig Price, SBEF Board President. “Without their dedication to public education, I cannot imagine what the state of our schools would be,” added Price.

SBEF is the only non-profit with the sole purpose of supporting projects and programs that benefit every student in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Established in 198?, SBEF has been the one consistent organization that the District, school sites, and programs rely on for community investment in public education to ensure equity and access to an innovative, world-class education that inspires confidence, competence and creativity in every student.

“Our community benefits greatly from the Santa Barbara Education Foundation. Having their support makes my job a lot easier,” said Santa Barbara Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Dave Cash. “I can think of no better way to support the foundation than by spending an evening honoring two truly great advocates of public education – John Clark and Annette Cordero.”

This year’s Hope Awards will not only honor Annette Cordero and John Clark but will also feature Keynote Speaker Rob Reich. Rob Reich is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Stanford University. Among other accomplishments, Reich is a leading expert on philanthropy in education and will be leading a discussion asking the question “What role should philanthropy play in a democratic society?”

“Rob Reich is one of the most influential thought leaders on education and the important role non-profits play in supporting students in classrooms,” Said Board President, Craig Price. “His opinions on how we can best serve students and provide equity through our philanthropic efforts will be thought provoking as SBEF moves forward with its mission. His talk will be worth the price of admission alone,” added Price.

The 2014 Hope Awards is a benefit reception that will be held on April 12 at the Carrillo Recreation Center Ballroom, 100 East Carrillo Street, from 6:00-9:00 PM. Tickets are $125 per person and are available at sbefoundation.org/hope-awards-2014.

About Jon Clark:

Jon Clark, President of the James S. Bower Foundation works tirelessly to create positive social change and a better community here in Santa Barbara through philanthropic investment. The Bower Foundation supports projects that will change community consciousness, awareness and values. In addition to being a trustee at the Santa Barbara Foundation, Jon serves on the boards of Cottage Health System and Storyteller and is a member of the Foundation Roundtable. Jon graduated from our district schools (Cleveland, SBJHS, SBHS) and went on to graduate from UCSB and received his MBA and MPL at USC. Jon and the James S. Bower Foundation have been avid supporters of education in Santa Barbara, contributing millions for programs that support the under-served. Jon approaches his work in the community like he does the triathlons he competes in. He is in for the long haul, pushes through the difficulties, and crosses the finish line already thinking about the next race.

About Annette Cordero:

Annette Cordero has been a faculty member at SBCC since 1997. She served eight years on the Santa Barbara Unified School District Board of Education from 2004 to 2012 and is a tenth-generation Santa Barbaran. Annette graduated from our district schools (Franklin, SBJHS, SBHS) and went on to graduate from SBCC and UCSB with a B.A. in English and a M.A. in Education with an emphasis in Reading. For more than twenty-five years, Annette has worked in the community advocating for educational equity, particularly working to address the achievement gap. She has devoted a great deal of her life to empowering individuals through various forms of education. Those who know her know that she is a “passionate, courageous, and tenacious advocate for the underserved students in our community.” Annette currently serves on the Board of Directors for Adelante Charter School and the Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association.

About Rob Reich:

Rob Reich is an Associate Professor of Political Science and, by courtesy, in Philosophy and at the School of Education, at Stanford University. His main interests are political theory and public policy. He has authored several books including his most recent book, “Education, Justice and Democracy”, was published by the University of Chicago Press in 2013. He is the recipient of several teaching awards, including the Phi Beta Kappa Undergraduate Teaching Award and the Walter J. Gores Award, Stanford’s highest award for teaching. Before attending graduate school, Reich was a sixth grade teacher at Rusk Elementary School in Houston, Texas through the Teach for America program. Reich’s recent research asks the question “What role should philanthropy play in a democratic society?” and explores the big picture of the fundamental role of schools in our society.

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