News release
The Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation, along with the superintendents from the local elementary school and high school districts, invites the community to help honor the 2025-26 Teachers of the Yeat on Friday night at the 42nd Annual Teacher Tribute.
The event, dubbed Academy of the Stars, is to be held at the College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center, saluting teachers from the Castaic Union School District, Newhall School District, Saugus Union School District, Sulphur Springs Union School District and William S. Hart Union High School District.
This annual tradition of celebrating one outstanding teacher from each of the public schools across Santa Clarita Valley started in April 1985 at the suggestion of then-Hart District Superintendent Clyde Smyth. With the help of the predecessors of the foundation, the Education Committee of the SCV Chamber of Commerce hosted the first-ever Teacher Tribute.
This tradition continues 42 years later. Teacher Tribute honors one teacher from each of the 55 public schools who are selected by their peers and school administrators.
“It’s our opportunity to reward and recognize the teachers making a tremendous difference in the lives of our children,” Board President and Founder Jim Backer said in a news release.
The doors will open at 5 p.m. and the ceremony will begin at 6:15 p.m. when the honorees will be welcomed by Castaic High School’s jazz band. Taylor Kellstrom, of Kellstrom Real Estate Group and an SCVEF board member, will once again host this evening of awards and entertainment.
Each honoree will receive a specially designed award plus a swag bag filled with gift cards and merchandise donated by local businesses. In addition, several high school seniors who plan to be future educators will be recognized as winners of the SCVEF/Backer Family scholarships.
This year’s presenting sponsor is L.A. County Supervisor Katherine Barger. Ticket sales ($10 children 8-17, $25 adults, children under 8 are free) are available at www.scveducationfoundation.org/teacher-tribute-2026.
