Retired RB High teacher wins a day of pampering

By RENEE HAINES - For the North County Times | Wednesday, July 16, 2008 11:04 PM PDT ∞

RANCHO BERNARDO ---- A retired Rancho Bernardo High School teacher spent Wednesday getting pampered ---- first at a high-end beauty salon and then at a high-fashion clothing store ---- as the winner of a countywide "favorite teacher" contest.

"My husband will not recognize me," Barbara Ix of Rancho Bernardo said, smiling into the mirror from a pedestal chair at Salon 56 at her hip new hairstyle as a makeup artist added the final touches to her new look.

"This is awesome," she said. "It was a big surprise." 

The contest Ix won was sponsored by Salon 56, the clothing store Civil Disobedience and nonprofit Computers to San Diego Kids Inc.

Ix's teaching career included teaching German for nine years at Mt. Carmel High School and then at Rancho Bernardo High School for 18 years before she retired June 14.

One of her ninth-grade students in June submitted the winning 100-word essay, describing Ix as "the best possible teacher" who "taught me to be strong and realize the important things in life."

Ix lost her home to last fall's Witch Creek fire, but "stayed strong and returned to school to teach us," the student wrote in the winning essay. Ix is living in a rental property in Rancho Bernardo while her home is being rebuilt.

In addition to the makeover and a new wardrobe, Computers to San Diego Kids Inc. will donate five refurbished computers to Rancho Bernardo High School in Ix's honor as the winner of the contest.

"With all the school budget cuts, I thought, let's do something for teachers," salon co-owner Jaimie Olvera, said about creating the contest.

Olvera said he intends to repeat the contest next year to celebrate teachers, because "children are our future."

Nicki Starr, owner of the "urban chic" Civil Disobedience boutique in the 4S Ranch community, said she agreed quickly to join Salon 56 as a sponsor, remembering the impact her favorite teacher had on her life.

"My fifth-grade teacher told me I could do anything I wanted to do in life," Starr said. "She's 85 now, and we still send Christmas cards."

Ix said she remains in contact with students from decades ago, too.

"Just to be connected with so many different students is rewarding," she said. "I'll miss the kids tremendously."

Starr and Olvera are like-minded business owners when it comes to volunteering in the community, both said.

Olvera partners with Mary's House in Escondido, a YMCA Youth and Family Services program, to provide free makeovers to at-risk young women transitioning from a childhood in foster care. And Starr is a longtime supporter of the YWCA's My Sister's Closet program, which donates clothing to women in need and to a resale thrift shop raising funds for women's programs.

"We're both very passionate about what we do," Starr said. "It's karma. What you give, the energy you put out there, is what you get back."