It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and News 12 gave Mount Vernon principals a little homework - tell us about your standout educators who mold all those minds. And they didn't disappoint!

The Mount Vernon City School District is home to 16 schools and thousands of students.

Today, News 12 is spotlighting the teachers making the grade - starting at the Grimes School with Donna Bailey. Her principal says Bailey is “an educator who cares about all her students. She is actively engaged in building culture and committed to the highest levels of academic achievement.”

At the Cecil H. Parker School, the principal's pick is Ebony Cooper. Cooper is “every part of Parker School on committees and teams with her colleagues goes about and beyond for her families and students.”

Marisol Flores gets the A+ at Mount Vernon Academy. Her principal tells News 12 her teaching style goes far beyond the books. “She is a mother, she is a wife, and she goes 100% all the time. She believes educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”

From the Nelson Mandela/Hosea Zollicoffer Elementary, Ronald Lomato - here is a little love for you! “He is one of our special education teacher assistants who goes above and beyond for our young scholars each and every day. He is there for all the teachers and staff to lend a helping hand a smile or kind word.”

This next principal has been in education for decades but it’s at the Mount Vernon Steam Academy she found. “One of the best educators I met in my 45 years of education is Donna Rustin. Donna Rustin is an English teacher. She teaches regular classes, regents, AP classes and changed the life of many students in many different ways.”

Finally, it was a team effort at the Pennington School to celebrate coach Christine Brennan. “Coach is the best because she is funny awesome energetic, and she always teaches us new things every day.”

Different schools, different styles - but so many similarities. The same passion, for the same district and same admiration coming from the people privileged to work with them every day.