By Sara Ballenger

Mountain View High School English teacher Steve Kahl and Oak School kindergarten teacher Amanda Terry were honored Sept. 23 as teachers of the year in their districts, with a ceremony at Santa Clara University’s Mayer Theatre.

Kahl was recognized by the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District and Terry by the Los Altos School District.

Terry, who is also president of the Los Altos Teachers Association, has been teaching for 26 years. She has taught in Los Altos for 15 years, most of which she has spent at Oak School teaching kindergarten.

“She is very nurturing with her 5-year-old kindergartners,” said Marge Gratiot, superintendent of the Los Altos School District. “Parents of children in her class have told me how much they appreciate her honesty and her experience as she talks to them about their children’s progress. She is also a curriculum leader, with suggestions for our many new kindergarten teachers about how to improve their classrooms.”

Terry is honored by her award and can’t imagine doing anything but teaching.

“The district always nominates the president of the teachers association, but every teacher deserves to be teacher of the year really,” Terry said. “I can’t imagine not doing this. I love coming to work every day. The administration and parents are wonderful.”

Kahl is just as passionate about his work. He has been teaching English for 18 years. This is his third year teaching at Mountain View High School.

“I continue to teach because it’s gratifying to help students find their talents, develop them and learn how to share them with the world. I can’t think of a better job,” Kahl said.

Aside from teaching a senior English elective class on making ethical decisions, Advanced Placement language and composition, and one section of AVID - a four-year course preparing students for admission to college - Kahl works with his colleagues as a “consulting teacher” and is the advisor for the student Gay-Straight Alliance.

“He is an amazing teacher who makes the success of each student his personal mission. He digs, prods and probes, finding ways to motivate students. His standards are high but always within the grasp of every student,” said Mountain View High School Principal Pat Hyland.

Kahl has enjoyed working not only with his students but also with the staff at the high school.

“Aside from working with highly creative students, the best aspect of teaching at MVHS is working with such a top-notch English department and staff,” Kahl said. “The teachers here are progressive, and their practices are rooted in solid educational research. Besides that, MVHS teachers care deeply for students, work hard and maintain a hilarious sense of humor.”