On Dec. 1, 2023, eight members of Goleta were honored during the 73rd annual ceremony of Goleta’s Finest Award. One of the award recipients was Scott Guttentag, who was recognized as Educator of the Year.

In recounting his commemoration ceremony, Guttentag holds an appreciation for the group of supporters who were present during his recognition.

“I didn’t know that the Dos Pueblos cheer team was going to be there and so they came out and [cheered],” Guttentag said. “It was also really cool because when I first got there, the DP choir … [was] singing Christmas carols and they were singing holiday carols.”

Guttentag reflects on his commitment to help Dos Pueblos High School students, as he balances being a counselor, overseer of the innovative program, and the activities director.

“I just feel like my driving goal is to make sure that all students know that they have help and support,” Guttentag said. “The award is saying that I am meeting that goal and that I am helping students that need help.”

When Scott Guttentag received his award, he shared this celebratory moment with one of his own students, Valeria Tiburcio Romo (12), when she was also recognized at the ceremony as Student of The Year.

“I nominated her [and] she didn’t know [that I] had nominated her,” Guttentag said. “ I was super excited to be able to share the honor with her.”

After 34 years of service to Dos Pueblos High School, Guttentag appreciates the amount of recognition he has received from the community.

“I love the work that I do, I love working with teenagers,” Guttentag said. “I think that the biggest [impact] is the continual feedback that I get from previous students telling me the impact that I made for them that I didn’t even realize.”