By Mikayla McNair
Suppose you peruse the archives of the Santa Barbara Education Foundation meeting minutes. In that case, you will surely stumble upon the name Frank Stevens, who has been heavily involved in the organization since 1995 as both a member and President. Stevens was also a teacher and counselor at San Marcos High School for 35 years, just before his time with SBEF. Moreover, his name is in the Santa Barbara Teachers Association “We Honor Ours” hall of fame, having received the award in the 1986-87 year. Currently, 22 years after retiring, he is the President of the Santa Barbara division of the California Retired Teachers Association. His name will not be forgotten with such a huge impact he has left on Santa Barbara education.
Stevens always liked to live by this motto (courtesy of Winston Churchill): “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give to others.” And giving to others is something he hasn’t stopped doing. Stevens began his involvement at SBEF in 1995. He was elected for the position of President during the 1995-1996 year and served as President from 1996-1998. “Frank Stevens has been a passionate advocate for a good learning environment for kids. His interest in our school district’s children is evidence of an extraordinary depth of caring,” describes another former SBEF President, Joni Meisel. “I have always appreciated his impact on our discussions.”
Because of contributors such as Frank Stevens, SBEF has been able to serve the Santa Barbara Unified School District for over 30 years. Aiming to develop quality education for all students, SBEF assists in funding programs that give to the underserved and provide opportunities to those with less. Its programs, such as the Program for Effective Access to College (PEAC), Summer Band Camp, and the Get Ahead Program (GAP), allow students to reach their full potential by connecting with music instructors, taking extra courses, and forming relations with tutors and mentors. Those are only a few examples of its hard work.
They say all good things must come to an end, but this isn’t goodbye. Stevens will continue to be a key player and a catalyst for SBEF even post-retirement. For more information on SBEF, please visit sbefoundation.org.