Patti Ackerman is a dedicated preschool teacher who exudes warmth and caring not only to her students but to their families and to the staff at Manhattan Beach Preschool. Patti has been a part of our preschool team for the past six years. She has a great loving nature and smile that brings warmth and sweetness to each child in the class. Even on Monday mornings when students normally don’t want to come to school, students have been known to ask their parents, “Am I going to school today?” and when the answer is yes, they exclaim, “YEAH!” Other students have told their parents to have another baby so they too can have Ms. Patti.

Patti is a kind, generous teacher who always has time to hear her students, teach them something new, and make them feel important. She has a special way of teaching, so that students are learning new concepts, building self-confidence, and having fun at the same time.

While some teachers stop at having one job while raising a family, Patti does not. In the six years she has been at MB Preschool, she has held many other job duties including HBEF President, HBCSD Board Member, and current HBCSD Board President. HBCSD Superintendent Pat Escalante sums up any experience with Patti like this, “Working with Patti, whether as a teacher, colleague or as President of the Hermosa Beach City School District Board of Trustees, is an experience that everyone walks away from feeling as if they were with a very special person.” Patti has a wicked sense of humor that she balances with common sense problem solving.  She is universally known as "sweet," but don't let that fool you. She can make tough decisions when needed, while maintaining her classy demeanor and smile.

Patti is an outstanding choice for Teacher of the Year. We appreciate that she loves her job and her children as much as they love her.  Congratulations, Patti!