OTHERS NOMINATE CHOICES FOR BEST TEACHER.

As part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, the Daily News asked readers to tell us about their favorite teacher. Here are excerpts from some of the e-mails we received. To read all the submissions, see dailynews.com.

My teacher at Taft High School, Ms. Allison Conant, has inspired me to go above and beyond society's expectations as a student. She expects the best from me and the rest of her students, and that is what she gets. Due to her wonderful teaching abilities, as well as techniques, I have been motivated to become an English teacher myself.

-- Nicole Rabiezadeh, Sherman Oaks

As a student at Monroe High School, my favorite teacher was and still is Mr. Bill Rankin. ... Not only was he a fantastic teacher, he was always someone I could turn to ... Mr. Bill Rankin, the best teacher in the world, touched my life and I am sure thousands of others during his years at Monroe.

-- Jennifer Huss Owen, Acton

Craig Gruenburg at Granada Hills Charter High School helped me find the music in my heart. He's taught me how to play guitar, dance, sing and publish music. His passion and love for each student helps them build up their self-esteem and see life in a positive light.

-- Ashley Jean Granillo, Stevenson Ranch 

I am the blessed mother of two developmentally disabled children. Danny, 6, is autistic and attends O'Melveny Elementary School's special education class, the same class his older brother, Anthony, now 22, attended. Teaching is a challenge in itself, but these angels who teach our special children possess great patience, sensitivity and compassion. Connie Borundy and the other special education teachers, Mrs. Huntzinger and Mrs. Schallert, work together to help each other help these children with loving hands, gentle guidance, unconditional acceptance and unending support.

-- Ana Feliciano, Sylmar

The staff at my school is the most caring, enthusiastic, fun and reliable staff in LAUSD. The key to our success has been our wonderful principal, Ms. Valerie Turner. Even though she has been a principal at Holmes for one year, she has made a mark on our school that will last forever. It is practically impossible to pick just one teacher out of all the great teachers here at Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School. So I've decided to nominate all staff members.

-- Brett Michael Holzhauer, Northridge

I have seen Coach Terry Fischer at El Camino Real High School stress what it means to countless students to give their best, whether it is music or wrestling. I have seen Coach Fischer attempt to express true values to students and athletes on his teams and to never give up, no matter what the circumstances. And I have seen Coach Fischer instruct personal responsibility and its importance to his students and student athletes.

-- Alex Ford, Simi Valley 

I am nominating my brother, Luis Lopez-Arriaga, as an inspiring teacher. Luis is a special education teacher in the Antelope Valley School District. I saw him in action when he took his class to a pumpkin patch for a field trip -- 12 high-strung children can get one overwhelmed. Not Luis. He had an answer for all the students' questions. These kids look up to him and he really cares to make an impact in their lives.

-- Vanessa Lopez, Santa Clarita 

I have two nominations, and they are from the same grade school -- Brentwood Science Magnet in Brentwood. The first is Melele Mestman, who is teaching second grade. She switches to the lower grades because she said she wanted to teach the children right in the beginning to give them a head start and better study skills. ... The second is Lily Chang, a fifth-grade teacher. Self-confidence and respect are instilled in the children, as well as the philosophy that hard work does pay off in the end.

-- Michelle Dornidon, Tarzana