Kellogg School Para Educator Honored As 2023 Extraordinary Educator

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Santa Barbara, CA – The Down Syndrome Association of Santa Barbara County’s “Extraordinary Educator” 2023 Award will be presented to Kellogg Elementary School Paraeducator, Claudia Watters October 28th 5-9 pm at the “12th Annual Hoedown” at the Santa Barbara Carriage Museum. Each year the DSASBC recognizes an Extraordinary Educator for their outstanding work with individuals with Down syndrome and others with special needs in our community. Claudia Watters has been with the Goleta Union School District for 8years and is now a paraeducator in Kellogg Schools Autism Program. Coach Claudia is the founding coach for DP Little League’s Challenger Division in 2004 and coached Challengers until just a few years ago. She runs a church program for individuals with special needs “In His Image” at Calvary Chapel. During Covid she began hosting online activities which she still continues – Wednesdays 3:30 “Coach Claudia’s Cardio, Fridays at 7pm – Bingo and Saturdays at 7:30pm “Zooms Got Talent”. She has also coached AYSO VIP Soccer, Challenger Basketball and a Swim Team at LaCumbre Country Club all for individuals with special needs. Coach Claudia has dedicated the past 27 years of her life to enriching the lives of those with unique needs in our community through sports, schools and programs, she truly is extraordinary!

Coach Claudia joins an amazing group of past “Extraordinary Educator” recipients – Goleta Union School District’s Adaptive PE Teacher Michael Galvan, El Camino School’s Linda Sparkuhl, Brandon School’s Jackie Zaida, Alpha Resource Center’s Amy Buesker, Special Education/Transition Teacher Cindy Rief, Goleta Valley Junior High School Special Education teacher Cameron Stewart, Brandon School’s Laura Herrera, Peabody Charter School’s Danelle Hurtdao and Dos Pueblos’ Chef Terri Ingram. Please join us as we award and honor this year’s winner, Coach Claudia Watters, at our annual celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Families, friends and supporters of the DSASBC celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness month and Halloween. It will be an evening full of great BBQ dinner, dancing to live music from The Hoodlum Friends, silent auction, costume contest, tons of activities for the kids and more – a fun time is sure to be had by all. The event is from 5-9 pm Ticket prices are $15 adults & $5 kids – that includes dinner, dancin’ & activities. Tickets are available at http://www.dsasbc.org and at the door. This year’s event is generously sponsored by George, Shari and Megan Isaac.

Visit http://www.dsasbc.org to find out more of the DSASBC events. “Extraordinary – Just Like you”