Your Picks for Great Teachers in the Community

As Teacher Appreciation Week comes to a close, here are teachers in the community nominated by readers for truly making a difference in local schools. Click through the gallery to view photos.

Molly Boyd, Vista Grande Elementary School

Engaging, enthusiastic and fun are all words that accurately describe Ms. Boyd's wonderful teaching style. Her sweet disposition encourages students to try hard, listen and most of all, learn well. She has been teaching at Vista Grande for over 11 years and her experience, huge bag of tricks and knack for keeping the children's attention really show on a daily basis. When asked what makes Ms. Boyd a great teacher during a recent survey, many student responses included how funny she is, how much she likes to smile, and how excited she is to do new things. She is the epitome of the ideal first grade teacher, with the patience, knowledge and amazing leadership that keep our children motivated and successful. We love Ms. Boyd! — Rose Hassani

Kris Schmidt, Cornerstone Elementary School

I’d like to bring attention to Kris Schmidt for making a difference in our schools. He is currently working at Cornerstone Elementary School and is making a tremendous difference in the lives of the children he has in his classroom. He appears to take to heart the idea of meeting all children’s individual learning needs. In our oversized classrooms, which create a full array of management challenges, he still finds time to collect informal assessment data “and uses it” to provide specialized learning opportunities for children who need more instructional assistance. While he is only on temporary assignment at Cornerstone, I certainly hope that they will find a way to keep such a shining star! Thank you Kris! — JoNeen Ohlaker

James Meade, Ceramics Teacher, Peninsula High School

James’ love of teaching is evident through his positive interaction with the students. He clearly articulates classroom expectations and has created a classroom environment where students are comfortable being “active and independent learners.” James is known as the “cool teacher” on campus because the students know he truly cares about them. James attends school events to support students and is an assistant coach of our wrestling team. — Peninsula Principal Mitzi Cress

Ben Smith, Environmental Science AP, Peninsula High School

Ben is the type of teacher who inspires students and changes lives. Palos Verdes Peninsula High School is proud to have Ben Smith on staff. Fifteen years ago, Ben joined our staff as a biology teacher. In 1996, he piloted the new Environmental Science AP program with 128 students. Over the last fourteen year, this program at PVPHS has been a tremendous success, with classes filled to capacity each year. He has educated and enlightened more than 2,500 high school students about the need to promote, protect and preserve the world’s oceans, waterways and marine life. Through his Environmental Science AP classes he has taught students to spawn fish to restock local mountain creeks, worked alongside students to clean beaches, sponsored student environmental clubs, accompanied students to community events to share environment concerns and shared slide presentations from his many research projects from around the world. — Peninsula Principal Mitzi Cress

Hassan Twiet, Engineering/Computer Science AP/Webpage Design, Peninsula High School

Hassan Twiet is an accomplished educator who has created and nurtured the award-winning technology, engineering, webpage and computer science programs at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. He lets no barrier come between potential knowledge and student success. His natural curiosity has become a tremendous motivator for future young engineers and programmers. The students report that he makes learning fun and he is easy to work with. In a world that desperately needs engineers, Hassan Twiet is doing a magnificent job securing our future. Students at Peninsula High School are building robots, designing buildings, constructing solar boats and creating environments of the future. Hassan recently volunteered his time to coach the PVPHS CyberPatriot team that earned sixth place in the national finals held in Washington, D.C. — Peninsula Principal Mitzi Cress

Judy Adam-Smith, Biology Honors, Peninsula High School

Judy instills a passion for sciences in her freshman Biology Honors which serve as the foundation and is in large part responsible for the stellar reputation and numerous awards that Peninsula High School students have earned in the field of science. If you ever doubt that teachers truly make a difference in the lives of their students, just spend an hour in Judy's classroom and witness a teacher who is passionate in her mission to share the excitement of scientific discovery with students who will tell you, “Mrs. Adams Smith is my favorite teacher.” Judy is an incredibly dedicated teacher, who can be found at football games, basketball games, at drama productions ... always in support of her students. Judy lives and breathes Peninsula High School. — Peninsula Principal Mitzi Cress

Mark Greenberg, Physics, Physics B AP and Physics C AP, Peninsula High School

Mark is an extraordinary physics teacher who considers physics the, “universal language.” He has been teaching three levels of math based physics and is responsible for inspiring a record number of students to sign up for physics next year. Needless to say, his current students have shared their great joy and enthusiasm about the way Mark teaches his physics classes. Physics classes at Peninsula High School were once thought to be limited to only, “the really smart kids.” Mark knows how to engage students in the learning process and he does so with energy and enthusiasm. Mark is our number one “Panther.” He is the teacher who is at every student and/or teacher event, always volunteering to help; a 100 percent participant in all aspects of our school community. — Peninsula Principal Mitzi Cress