Next summer, while the students of Juan Cabrillo Elementary School are “hanging out,” their principal, Patricia Cairns, will be “Hanging Ten” in Hawaii after winning the Outstanding Educator Recognition award from Duke’s Malibu Restaurant and Barefoot Bar.
Cairns has worked in education for 37 years. She has taught every grade from first through the university level. In 1990, Cairns was a finalist for the California Teacher of the Year award.
“Her dedication to the profession is tremendous,” said Paul Spooner, general manager of Duke’s Malibu. “I have guys who work for me that had her 10 or 15 years ago as an English teacher and they say great things about her.”
The restaurant is sending Cairns and her husband to Waikiki for six days and five nights at the Outrigger Hotel. The couple will fly first class on Hawaiian Air and receive $500 in spending money.
“I was really shocked to receive this award,” Cairns said humbly. “From the bottom of my heart, the most important people at this school are the teachers. They make me look good.”
Cairns was nominated for the award by 29 of her staff members. Here is what some of them wrote about her on their nomination applications:
* “Imagine a woman whose passion motivates an entire school community, whose commitment to children has changed an entire perception of the school.”
* “Five minutes with her and you see, feel and experience the impact she has on everyone around her.”
* “We nominate her because she is truly the best of the best. We are proud to be on her team, and we love her.”
Choking back tears, Cairns said, “This award shows that my teachers have faith and believe in me. It’s so humbling to know people have that much love and support for you.”
Since it opened in 1996, Duke’s Malibu has been reaching out to the local teaching community with its Educator of the Month award. The winner receives dinner for two at the restaurant.
“That grew out of our appreciation for educators and our desire to be part of the community and contribute to it,” Spooner said.
“Duke’s has such respect for education,” Cairns said. “It’s a big statement for them to say right up front that kids are important and business is not just about making money.”
Right now, the schools participating in the monthly award are Juan Cabrillo Elementary, Webster Elementary and Indian Hills High School. Spooner said Point Dume Marine Science Elementary will be added next year and he plans to expand the program to surrounding areas such as Agoura Hills, Oak Park and Pacific Palisades.
The Outstanding Educator Recognition award is part of Duke’s parent company’s 25th anniversary celebration. T S Restaurants, founded in 1977 by Sandy Saxten and Rob Thibaut, own Duke’s Malibu. As part of its anniversary celebration, T S Restaurants is handing out Outstanding Educator Recognition awards at its 11 restaurants throughout Hawaii and California.
Duke’s Malibu Restaurant and Barefoot Bar is named after Duke Kahanamoku, a Hawaiian Olympic swimmer who helped introduce surfing around the world. The menu includes coastal cuisine with Asian flare.