UC Santa Barbara’s Gevirtz School laments the passing of alumna and beloved local teacher Marcie (Fuller) Kjoller on March 31. Kjoller earned her multiple subject credential from the Teacher Education Program in 1992. She also received her undergraduate degree from UCSB, where she was a three-time NCAA All-American and helped UCSB win four straight Big West Conference women's swimming titles. She was inducted into the Gaucho Hall of Fame in 2016.
Kjoller taught first and second grade at Santa Barbara Charter School in Goleta. “Marcie was a wonderfully enthusiastic, caring, and kind teacher,” Laura Donner, Santa Barbara Charter School’s director of education and another Teacher Education Program alumna told the Santa Barbara Noozhawk. “Marcie was a teacher in our SBCS HomeBased Partnership program for 11 years, before moving to the classroom program this year.
“She brought so much joy with her each day through her bright smile, loving hugs, and warm sense of humor. Marcie dedicated each day to helping the kids in her class and being the best teacher she could be for them.”
Kjoller’s friends have planned a paddle-out in celebration of her life Sunday, April 7, at 1:40 p.m. at East Beach. They will then congregate at the Red Piano, 519 State Street, where Kjoller enjoyed the music scene. In lieu of flowers, people are asked to consider making a donation in her name to any of the following: UCSB Swimming Marcie Kjoller Most Inspirational Scholarship, The Red Piano Marcie Musical Scholarship, Heal the Ocean, Alpha Resource Center.