Teacher Appreciation Nominations Blog S

Through our Teacher Appreciation nominations, we were able to see exactly how our teachers are impacting our kids and community. We want to recognize each nomination that has come in. 1495 unique nominations and 525 teachers nominated, we are sharing the answers to our question posed: “Why does this teacher make you smile?”. The blogs are organized by last name of the teacher.

Teacher: Jodi Sabataso, West Career and Technical Academy

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? he is very helpful and always gives 100% to her students. It’s a joy being in her class. She deserves recognition.

Teacher: Dennis Samdberg, Palo Verde High School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? After an entire school career of not being able to do math, this teacher has helped my now senior daughter love and understand math. She went from years of nearly failing to a high A in math. Additionally, he was also the teacher that reported a student who had brought a gun to school when students reported it to him and handled the situation calmly and professionally.

Teacher: Amanda Sampaio, Marshall Darnell Elementary

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? This teacher is the epitome of what a educator should be. She has been instrumental in the development of my 3 children. She is an amazing human being with a kind heart and a very attentive way of teaching.

She has been the onset of education for all 3 of my kids! Starting with my oldest that is now 12 down to my youngest currently in her class.

She truly goes the extra mile with her communication and involvement.

I wish all educators had her passion.

Teacher: Jahlona Sanders, Rose Warren Elementary

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile?

Hi, my name is Ailyn Quinones and I’m a 4th grader in Rose Warren Elementary School and I think Mrs.Sanders should win the nominations because she is a hard worker and a nice person and teacher.

She’s also a fun teacher and makes work fun and easy. Also, when you pass your multiplication and division you get to pick your prize for passing.

She also threw parties for some holidays like St. Patrick’s day, Valentine’s day, and more. She also threw pizza parties sometimes when the class was good. Also, if you needed help, she would try to help you as much as she could.

We also did fun things like brain breaks outside in the field and sometimes ate popsicles outside. She also decorated the classroom really pretty. She had cute posters, cute supplies and very nice handwriting.

Also when it was your birthday she would give you a present that had a notebook, pencil bag, a pen, scissors, stapler, tape, and more. She would also give you a sticker that says happy birthday and would also sing happy birthday.

Hi, my name is Ailyn Quinones and I’m a 4th grader in Rose Warren Elementary School and I think Mrs. Sanders should win the nominations because she is a hard worker and a nice person and teacher.

She’s also a fun teacher and makes work fun and easy. Also, when you pass your multiplication and division you get to pick your prize for passing.

She also threw parties for some holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and more. She also threw pizza parties sometimes when the class was good. Also, if you needed help, she would try to help you as much as she could.

We also did fun things like brain breaks outside in the field and sometimes ate popsicles outside. She also decorated the classroom really pretty. She had cute posters, cute supplies and very nice handwriting.

Also when it was your birthday she would give you a present that had a note book, pencil bag, a pen, scissors, stapler, tape, and more. She would also give you a sticker that says happy birthday and would also sing happy birthday.

and that is why I think Mrs.Sanders should get nominated for teacher appreciation.

Teacher: Myriam Santamaria, Canyon Springs High School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? She’s so kind to her students. She makes sure everyone feels comfortable in her classroom She helps students with anything they need help with. She treats us respect and treat us like her own!

Teacher: Craig Savage, Theron L. Swainston Middle School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Mr. Savage makes me smile because he is a kind person who is funny and is a good listener.

Teacher: Brandi Sawyers, Las Vegas High School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? She seems so kind and genuine! I only recently just moved to the school, and she was my favorite since day one. She seems like someone I can genuinely trust and confide in, and when I let her know that I’m having a bad day she takes genuine concern. She’s genuinely very kind and understanding, I love being in her classroom I wish I had her every day!

Teacher: Jeanne Sayers, Ronnow Elementary

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile?

Ms Sayers made me feel happy every single day and even introduced me to one of her favorite days May the 4th (Star Wars thing). She also read and let the class watch this one movie called Holes and too this day it is still my favorite book/movie. While Ms Sayers made sure we didn’t mess around to much she allowed me to hang out with one of my best friends (still is) Kevin. I am really glad I got to have Ms Sayers as my third-grade teacher, she really made that year the best school year I have ever had. (To Ms Sayers) Thank you very much for exposing me to so many great things like how you celebrate Christmas, new books/movies, May the 4th (be with you), and thank you for keeping me focused in class but also allowing me to hang out with my friends it allowed me to create such a tight bond with them and all the memories of them and you still make me happy to this day. You will forever hold a special place in my heart as my favorite teacher and I hope that once you read this that you will accept my friend’s request. (Please be my friends we can become best friends.)

Ms. Sayers made me smile when i was in third grade because of how fun she made her class! I really enjoyed doing the projects we had, and she made her class incredibly fun with all the games we would play to learn. Math was the subject I adored most in her class, because she made it engaging for us students.

Teacher: Katie Scheevel, Wilhelm Elementary

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Katie, you have been absolutely amazing all year long. I am honored that my child was able to call you, her teacher. The amount of energy you put into teaching and supporting our children is above and beyond. I know Zoey will miss you next year, but I hope my son will be with you in the near future!! Thank you for all that you do!!!

Teacher: Katrina Schmidt, West Career & Technical Academy

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Ms. Schmidt is the teacher they talk about in Ted Talks: the teacher who inspires, who pushes, and who always has the most tangible passion for what they do. Despite having to deal with meddlesome teenagers the entirety of the week, she never fails to make time for her students. When I went into her room for feedback on my speech, I never expected to come out a changed person. The difference between a good teacher and a stellar one is how you can feel their excitement bouncing off in beams. To me, Ms. Schmidt is the human embodiment of the morning sun, and that is what makes me smile.

Ms. Schmidt makes me smile because she always lights up the classroom with her bright and wonderful spirit. There’s never a class that I feel she is bored, frustrated, or doesn’t like her job. Every day she is filled with love and compassion and strives to create the best classroom environment. She’s one of the best teachers I’ve ever had and every day she makes me smile. 🙂

Teacher: Amy Sequeira, Iverson Elementary

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? She makes teaching fun. She is creative in everything she teaches.

She has a smile every day for her kids. She spends a lot of her own money to make learning special.

Teacher: Nina Servicio, Cole Academy of Science Centennial Hills   

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Ms. Servicio makes me smile because she is nice and funny.

Teacher:  Lindsay Severson, Las Vegas High School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? This teacher makes me smile for many reasons I can name why, for starters Mrs. Severson is the first teacher I feel safe and can trust with any problems I have. In general, when I ask for help, she makes sure to describe the work we are doing as detailed as possible. In my mind Mrs. Severson isn’t just a teacher she’s a trusted adult I always look forward to seeing in school she doesn’t just get along with me, but she gets along with a lot of students including my friends.

Teacher: Jennifer Shanahan, Johnson Middle School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? She make me smile how patient she is with me, how she talk to me, the way she care about my grades, I just love her she always makes funny jokes do funny moves Ms.Vergo is the best teacher ever.

Teacher: Tammy Shapiro, Frank Lamping Elementary School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Mrs Shapiro is always a pleasure to speak with. She has her finger on the pulse and in an instant can give me updates on my daughter’s education. She’s inconstant contact and keeps us parents informed and involved.

Teacher:  Vergo Shaquida, Las Vegas High School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? She make me smile how patient she is with me, how she talk to me, the way she care about my grades, I just love her she always makes funny jokes do funny moves Ms.Vergois the best teacher ever.

Teacher: Elisa Shepherd, Manuel J. Cortez Elementary School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Since the beginning of the school year, she has been nothing but patient and always hands on with my son as well as the entire class. At the start he was reluctant to start school but after the first day of being in Ms. Shepard ‘s class, he has been so happy and wants and loves to go every single day. She is a very remarkable and admirable teacher.

Teacher:  Hendrik Shepherd, Clifford. J. Lawrence Junior High School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? This teacher makes me smile because he would make some like jokes that are not that funny that makes it funny. He is also a very nice teacher to me. He is the kind of teacher that I can trust to help me.

Teacher:  Leceila Shipp-Oakes, Stanford Elementary School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Xiao Laoshi is my Chinese teacher and helps so much with learning one of the hardest languages in the world. She sees her classroom as a collaborative effort in which everyone helps each other. Even so, she allows for plenty of time for independent projects, but we all share our links with each other to see each other’s projects to use as examples. She is also very passionate about sharing her own Taiwanese culture with her students, bringing in cultural food ranging from upon rice noodles to Chinese almond pound cake. Xiao Laoshi is an absolutely amazing educator. She’s unorthodox, unique, and a very pleasant person to be around. She makes learning and perfecting a new language a lotless lonely, and I cannot thank her enough for that.

Teacher: Juliana Silva, Heweston Elementary School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Mrs. Aquaro/Silva made me smile by being herself when she’s teaching, and she never does not know how to make the kids smile or laugh.

She was so understanding when it came to girls, and she was sweet.

Teacher: Donna Simms, Booker Elementary

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Ms. Simms makes me smile by when i do not get a problem she helps me with it. She also is funny and makes me laugh a lot of times.

She always has a smile her so have a smile on my face.

She makes me smile because she is very nice, she cares about me a lot. And when my parents can’t take me to events, she offers to take me and keep me and she is very caring. She also spends her money on us to get us treats that she does not have to get for us to do work. Also, I love her a lot because in 4thgrade she stuck with me and was the only teacher I really liked to talk to other than the other one.

This teacher makes me smile because Ms. Simms buys things for her students. She also gives compliment, asks if we are doing alright, hows our day been, and asks use about or weekend. This is why I think Ms. Simms makes me smile.

This Teacher makes me Smile because she helps me when I would need help.

Teacher:  Erik Simpkins, J. Harold Brinley Middle School.

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Mr. Simpkins would make me smile because he was funny, chill, honest person, and was just the best he carried most of my 8th grade year that is why I am writing this appreciation to him.

Teacher: Tari Smethurst, Mike O’Callaghan i³ Learn Academy

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Everything about Ms. Smethurst makes me smile! She is one of the most stellar teachers I have come across in my educational career. She truly cares about each and every one of her students. She tirelessly plans and executes engaging lessons to assist her students to master the content. She is able to elicit phenomenal growth with her students as they can sense that her care is genuine and her skill in teaching and motivating students is unmatched. She is also true collaborative team player with her colleagues. She is a great asset to our school community.

Teacher: Mr. Smidt, Frias Elementary

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Mr. Smidt is great with his class and very understanding of the student’s developmental stage where he is able to sympathize with them with great understanding. He is very caring and loves his profession and it shows in how he cares for his students and talked about them during conferences.

Teacher: Sukari Smith, Western High School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile?

This teacher makes me smile because she is caring, productive and overall amazing teacher.

Ms. Sukari makes me smile because I know that she will help me in whatever i need and she is a good teacher.

Because she always encourages her students to come to school (not just her class) and to do well in school. Also, she makes me feel like I can ask question seven if she already answered them already.

because she is very beautiful and funny, and she tries to give the class an atmosphere so as not to bore us.

because she makes funny jokes, and she helps me when I need it!

because shes always there to help and responsive. teaches everything very well and is easy but hard on us.

cause she’s nice.

Es divertida y no es buena con nosotros

Makes class enjoyable and fun explains everything very well easy to pass her class.

Miss smith is a very nice and kind teacher she makes me feel comfortable since day 1 I’ve moved to western. she gets along with all of her students and won’t judge you for who you are.

Mrs. Smith is an incredible teacher who makes every day at school enjoyable. I know that she really cares about each and every student. She always has the student’s best interest in mind and has so much patience with us throughout the learning process. I get the most out of her English class thanks to everything she does to help us understand the information and look forward to coming to class even though it is difficult in the morning. I appreciate her kindness every day and it always makes me smile.

Ms. Smith encourages us to try our best in class and tries her best to make the class fun but educational. She also helps us out whenever we don’t understand an assignment. When she teachers she uses real life experiences that she has had to give us perfect examples.

Ms. Smith is a really great teacher who offers unlimited amounts of support to her students and everything that she teaches us in her class will be able to help us out wherever we go in the future. She is a teacher that makes her class comfortable, and we know we can trust her. Her students are lucky to have her as a teacher.

Ms. Smith is funny, nice, and always there to help me when I need it.

Ms. Smith is one of my favorite teachers I have had in a long time. Ms. Smith helps me when I need help or feel like I can ́t do something. She makes me smile with the jokes she makes, the things she says, and her presence overall.

Ms. Smith gives me the motivation to come to class and do my work and ready to learn and prepare, I can actually be focused on my work and understand it.

She is my favorite. She is fun teacher.

My teacher Ms. Smith makes me smile because she has a very warm personality that makes me feel comfortable and not judged in her classroom.

Other teachers not knowing the modern problems of a child nowadays don’t understand. Ms. Smith has helped me through a lot of things whether it’s in class or with my life in general. She is the only teacher that is interesting to me. She can make me laugh or help me when I ask for it. That’s why I nominate her.

She always helps me with my assignments. Ms Smith is very kind and is always trying to make fun collaborative assignments while also taking her job very seriously. She is willing to give me later than usual deadlines and is always just so kind. I appreciate Ms. Smith.

She is funny and she a really good teacher and she really knows how to do her job.

She helps me out with my work.

She helps me with all my work despite my difficulty with languages, she is very kind and always welcomes us with a smile, i love her.

she helps wen i need help she know how to bring the crowd up she doesn’t talk slow like a robot with low batter she doesn’t talk to fast were u can’t understand she talks at the best pate were u can understand she help me with a lot of my jobs application witch is a big thing to me without here i would probably not have a job.

She is a good teacher.

She is funny and waits for us to finish our work, she’s also helpful to anyone in the class, and the way she teaches is the best thing ever.

She is my favorite teacher, and she is really kind.

She is so nice, and she also helps me with my work.

She is supportive and she is helpful. She would leave everything she’s doing just to go help you when you need it. She also explains things as simple as possible so you could understand the topic and if you still don’t understand then shell help you out another way just so you could understand it.

She is very kind and makes me motivated to complete my work even at the lowest.

She is very kind, and she can help you with situations.

She is nice.

She makes me smile because she always talks to me and makes me laugh, she’s always there for me when I need a hug or when something goes wrong, she’s there I can always talk to her no matter what she will always listen and make sure I’m okay and she’s a very nice and respectful teacher.

She makes me smile because she comes to school and teaches with a smile on her face, and she is sonice, and she helps me under work.

She makes me smile because she always helps me and gives me proper help on things I’m confused about, I can talk to her about anything.

She’s always around n makes sure we’re okay.

She is funny.

Shes like a mother figure that ive never had.

su personalidad me hace sentir cómoda, siempre explica las cosas de manera divertida, ella hace que su clase sea mi favorita con su personalidad yamabilidad.

The teacher is cool, chill and she has a fun way of teaching.

This teacher doesn’t just make me smile but is also my favorite T, she is so wonderful most kind in all ways she even smiles when she see me 😉

This teacher is always encouraging me to do my work and is always helping when i get stuck. When she sees i m having a hard time focusing she checks on me and makes sure i get my work done most if the time.

This teacher is extremely kind she also likes to have personal connections with each of her students to better understand them as a person and the best way to teach them. Even if you don’t understand the instruction, she will personally explain step by step until you understand what to do. By being my teacher not only has she shown me important life lessons about college and my future. But she also supports and encourages me to be a better person.

this teacher makes me smile because she encourages me todo my work and has the best advice, and very funny.

This teacher makes me smile because he taught me so well in 6th grade math and he always made sure I was okay and never felt down or misunderstood. Till this day he has given me a fist pump and we make sure each other is doing okay he is the best teacher I could ever ask for and I am very grateful for him he is THE BEST TEACHER EVER!!!

This teacher makes me smile because she is always prepared for everything.

This teacher makes me smile because she is there when I need her. Also helps me a lot with my work. Helps me understand my work.

This teacher makes me smile because she is very nice and explains things well, so I understand.

This teacher makes me smile because he taught me so well in 6th grade math and he always made sure I was okay and never felt down or misunderstood. Till this day he has given me a fist pump and we make sure each other is doing okay he is the best teacher I could ever ask for and I am very grateful for him he is THE BEST TEACHER EVER!!!

This teacher makes me smile because she is always prepared for everything.

This teacher makes me smile because she is there when I need her. Also helps me a lot with my work. Helps me understand my work.

This teacher makes me smile because she is very nice and explains things well, so I understand.

This teacher makes me smile because she listens to me when I need to talk to someone, she uses the nickname I prefer, she lets me take my time on my assignments. She also cares about all her student’s success and wants them to get a job and live life comfortably. So, she is a really good teacher and deserves the appreciation she gets.

This teacher makes me smile because she makes class very fun and easy. This class is very enjoyable to go to. We talk a lot about college and future life to get us ready. Honestly amazing class and teacher.

This teacher makes me smile because shes respectful and kind.

This teacher makes me smile every day by making me laugh to his jokes and his connection with all the students and when I’m in his class he makes me want to learn because of the way he motivates his students.

When I was back to school after I was gone for a week, she asked me if I was okay and that she’s here if I need anything.

Yes, I can talk to her about anything.

Because she nice and have a good energy and she don’t be bragging in my earlike author teachers do.

She is an amazing teacher, and person. She is always there to listen to someone and understand their struggle and uses that to enhance the learning of all the students.

She is so nice and cool.

This teacher makes me smile because she good at making it easy to pass this class also great at explaining things and is always happy to help me with any work.

She makes me smile because She would always make jokes and make everything fun, but we are learning at the same time.

Ms. Smith made me smile because she was nice, funny, and helpful. She always helps me when i need it and always tells me what I have missing to get my grade up.

Teacher: Samuel Smith, Centennial High School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? He brings a smile and makes me happy by letting 3D print anything as long it’s school appropriate and he shows me the right and best way of creating something in 3D

Teacher: Scott Smith, Swainston Middle School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? 

He is very kind and understanding about many things. He knows how to deal with situations whether they are good or bad. And he helps out with school work and helps you understand it too.

He was my 6th grade math teacher, and he was my favorite teacher from middle school.

Teacher: Emilyne Smith, Valley High School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? I Nominate a teacher Madame Smiths at Valley High School. She is a wonderful teacher who teaches french. She helps out her students when they need it. She is very understanding and cares about her students she has throughout the day. She loves being a teacher knowing that she gives us the education we need. This teacher makes me smile because of how sweet and caring she is. She makes entertaining activities in her class whenever we participate or finish our work in her class. I struggle with my mental health a lot and she has helped me through a lot. I always flex to my family members my french words because of her lol! She gives you a snack whenever you tell her you’re hungry or didn’t have time to eat lunch. Every holiday she creates activities with us and gives us yummy snacks. She is such a fun teacher. She makes me feel like im not alone. I had her last semester and wished i still had her this semester.

Teacher: Maya Smith, Walter Long Elementary

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Mrs. Maya is always putting herself available for any and all concerns and question about my son’s progress. She always gives my son such positive feedback & energy. Making school such a positive experience for him!

Teacher: Jill Saniak, Jack Lund Schofield Middle School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? This teacher makes me smile because she is a great teacher. She makes sure that you have got what you need to learn. I love how she keeps making her classes fun and also makes sure we learn. She is the best teacher ever.

Teacher: Robert Speciale, West Career and Techical Academy

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? He is very interactive, funny, intelligent, and overall, a splendid person to talk to. He is very helpful when it comes to work, and he has a very likable personality.

Teacher: Katie St – Pierre, Doral Academy Red Rock

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? She’s wonderful and fun to talk to. Her classroom is always a good environment and I enjoy being in her class.

Teacher: Anissa Stewart, Kitty Ward Elementary

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? ou make me happy and always make the class happy by reading the one and only BOB with your funny voices. You make me happy and when I walk in the room you always have a smile on your face. Happy birthday! From Ella.

Teacher: Marilou Stovall, Monoco Middle School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile?

This teacher makes me smile because Ms. Stovall helps us and is always nice to me and always makes time for games.

This teacher makes me smile because she jokes and stuff to make kids laugh and they do and she also jokes around when ur down and just makes me smile.

This teacher makes me smile because she is funny, and she loves all her kids.

Mrs. Stovall has made me smile because she cares for my goals, and she makes class a fun way to learn. She lets us sit with our friends when we have earned it. She is my favorite teacher; she is happy every day which makes me happy. She helps students when they need it. I am always excited to enter her classroom because it’s fun and I am actually ready to learn. I love learning about history because it is interesting. She is overall the best teacher ever and my favorite teacher.

I like ms stoval becase she is always happy somtimes she makes us smile with her stories and she makes lerning fun.

Ms Stovall makes me smile in many ways. She is a very fun person and always finds a way to not make class boring. She listens to her students when they want to talk about something personal. Her classroom brings comfort and energy. I love her smile and her humor. I love how she has a friendship with her students and cares for all of us, she never lets a single person out. Ms Stovall is so sweet I think she deserves the world.

Ms. Stovall makes me smile because she makes everything, we do in class fun.

My teacher always made me smile when she made funny jokes, she helped me a lot when I was stuck in questions and students talk to her about personal problem and were all always open with her.

Por que ella es muy buena contodos.

She helped me and she is funny.

She is always very nice and always makes class the best and fun. She helps me learn so many things in history. She makes learning a very special way of learning.������

She makes smile because she likes doing fun stuff with us and she actually talks to us.

She’s been an amazing teacher and a fun one at that.

This teacher makes me smile because her class is fun and says funny stuff.

This Teacher makes me smile because she is kind, she’s fun and most of her lesson are fun.

She makes me smile because she pushes EVERYONE to their limits. She wishes for our success and is always proud of us. No matter how crazy our classis she puts up with it because she is strong.

Teacher: Kelly Steele, Ed W. Clark High School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Dr. Steele is a ray of sunshine, and she makes a huge impact on every student she teaches. She teaches with passion and energy that draws in every student. She deserves all the happiness in the world!

Teacher: Mrs. Stenson, Marshall Darnel Elementary

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? he is and outstanding teacher so really cares about her students.

Teacher: Elizabeth Strehl, Las Vegas Academy of the Arts

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile?

From the moment I started Highschool she was always outstandingly kind and nice to me and has encouraged every decision I’ve made for my future and done all that she can to help. Even outside of that I look forward to going to her class every day because she always finds a way to make her class enjoyable or something to laugh at. Her ability to make sarcastic remarks while still helping me find ways to make myself heard have helped me come out of my shell and feel like I belonged in the classroom and at my school.

Mrs. Strehl goes out of her way to be a mentor to me. Whether she’s comforting me on a bad day or making me laugh until my stomach hurts, I’ve never had a teacher who I felt truly cared about me as a person and not just something that’s a part of her job.

She is a really funny and always finds fun ways to make our activities fun, for example reading plays we get to choose characters and read our lines or when we practice our grammar, she will make fun team games for us to practice.

She is always supporting my creative endeavors, uplifting me in whatever I choose to create in her class. She cracks jokes and makes me feel more comfortable with her than with any other teacher. I gained an extreme passion for journalism after taking her class. I always look forward to getting to school early so I can be the first one in her room. She is always open to communication about anything I need and is overall just an amazing person and teacher.

Teacher: John Strehl, Las Vegas Academy of the Arts

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Mr. Strehl is always very caring about our mental health and well-being and will always check in on us and make sure we’re doing okay. He checks up on use very time we have his class. He cares a lot about his students and always tries to find ways to make science entertaining for his classes. His class is never boring and is one of my favorites.

Mr. Strehl is one of the most understanding teachers I have ever met. He has ]done everything to make his classroom such an exciting and comforting place to learn. He has made it a priority to not make students stressed out but allow them to learn and be excited to learn. Encouraging us to learn and talk freely about the topics in class and anything concerning us. Everything he has done in his class has created such a safe place to be ourselves, and not be afraid to ask any questions.

Teacher: Ashley Stroud

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Mrs. Stroud is a force for her students. She drives them to excel, pushes for achievement, and patiently reminds them when they need it. She provides opportunities for recognition beyond the classroom to ALL her students and coaches her students to be successful. My daughter loves her, has benefitted greatly from her leadership, and that makes me smile.

Teacher: Amy Symes, K.O. Knudson Academy of the Arts

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? She is really nice and is really helpful and always jokes around with her students in a possitive manner.

She makes me smile because she always pushes us and strives for us to be stronger. She works super hard for us and does everything she can, even if she has to work harder than ever before. She is a choir teacher and has to cover 6classes every day. She has us tries our hardest and makes us the best we can be.

This teacher makes me smile because of the great amounts of effort and respect she has for not only her fellow coworkers but our whole school community.

Teacher: Allison Szarzynski, Shelley Berkley Elementary School

Why Does This Teacher Make You Smile? Ms. Szarzynski is very kind, patient, and caring. She makes learning so much fun and I look forward to her class every day.

Teachers play a significant role in our lives, and we are thankful for them and all they do for our community every single day. We understand how important their job is in student development and learning and know they work tirelessly to educate children and add value to their lives! Thank you, you are our heroes!