Terrific New Teachers

Sydney Malicse• October 28, 2025

A new school year means fresh beginnings and unfamiliar faces, and Palos Verdes Peninsula High School is excited to welcome three teachers who are here to make a difference in the classrooms and in the hallways. From English to science to music, they are enthusiastic about sharing their passions, imaginations and creative mindsets with their students. Among these new faces is Mr. Crisostomo, who has joined the faculty as an English I and English I Honors teacher. He is a dedicated educator who works hard to engage his students while still maintaining a positive and enjoyable classroom environment. Above all, he emphasizes the importance of respect as a foundation for learning. Before beginning his teaching career, Mr. Crisostomo was inspired by his own teachers, who helped him discover his inner voice and develop the skills he needed to succeed beyond the classroom. He was told that he was disruptive and talkative, and even after the discouragement, he didn’t bring himself down because he had one teacher who truly believed in him. His fourth grade teacher had seen—what others would call unruliness—a guiding light that could take him places. That teacher told him he was not disruptive, but social with an adoration for collaborating. To this day, that teacher has inspired him to become the dedicated teacher he is now. Before teaching, he graduated from UCLA, where he spent two years. He then earned his teaching credential and Master of Arts in Teaching at USC. Mr. Crisostomo hopes to continue to put forth his best effort and keep caring for his students. He wants his students to always have someone in their corner whom they can trust and rely on, because before they are students, they are humans who sometimes need a little help. He would like people to realize that before you can teach a student, you have to care for them and build that relationship. Mr. Crisostomo believes that to be the best teacher you can be, you have to understand who you are trying to be a teacher for.

“Being a good teacher means acknowledging students’ presence and showing them that you care,” Mr. Crisostomo said. “I think that is the catalyst for being able to help them grow, and if you don’t engage and collaborate with them, they are not going to truly be engaged in you or your class.”

Another addition to Peninsula’s staff this year is Mr. McCracken, who teaches earth science, biology and AP Environmental Science. Before becoming a teacher, Mr. McCracken worked as a marine biologist in Hawaii, focusing on the study of fish, before moving to California. An encounter with a former teacher inspired him to consider teaching as a career when fieldwork was no longer the right fit for him. Since becoming a teacher, he has loved every minute spent in the classroom. Mr. McCracken has a teaching philosophy that is simple yet powerful: To truly understand something, you must first love it. To help his students better understand the information that needs to be taught, he first explains why the material matters. He then guides them through the more complex details and what is necessary to understand the systems. He hopes to inspire a new generation of scientists and encourage students to care for the world around them. To him, a good teacher always prioritizes students’ needs and listens to their perspectives. He offers support when necessary and treats them with respect. Beyond academics, he encourages students to stay aware of what is happening in the world and empowers them to address injustices, whether or not they continue with science in the future. Mr. McCracken’s advice for anyone considering a career in teaching is to never be discouraged.

“I believe we should allow students to make mistakes because the founding principle of science is about making mistakes and learning from them,” Mr. McCracken said. “If I were to change one thing about education, that would be to try and help students recover from the mistakes they made. People should be allowed to make mistakes, learn from them and then better themselves. Once they have proven they have bettered themselves, they should get the credit for that.”

Mr. Steiner, a passionate music teacher, is thrilled to join the Peninsula music program and share both his knowledge and dedication with students. Coming from a life deeply immersed in music, he earned a scholarship to continue his studies at Central Washington University, where he spent three years before transferring to the University of North Texas to complete his undergraduate degree in music. After working in the music industry in Nashville, Mr. Steiner realized that teaching had always been what he really wanted to do. He pursued graduate studies at Middle Tennessee State University and later continued his education at Western Washington University. When he eventually moved to California to continue his goal, he began teaching. Mr. Steiner was inspired by two of his high school band directors. He developed an understanding of the great impact teachers can have on students’ lives, and it opened his eyes. Mr. Steiner is deeply passionate about helping his students develop their own love of music. He wants to guide them to pursue what excites them and encourage them to explore their creativity. His long-term goal is to create meaningful experiences that allow students to grow as musicians. Mr. Steiner has advice for anyone thinking of becoming a teacher in the future.

“Lean into the passion that you feel for being a teacher every day,” Mr. Steiner said. “Some days you might feel like you don’t want to do it anymore, but you have to always remember and feel that passion that made you want to become what you are now in the first place.”

As the school year continues, these teachers promise to make Peninsula High School an even more vibrant and fascinating place to learn. From the English classroom to the science labs and the music studio, each teacher brings a unique lesson and journey. Their commitment to helping every student learn and stay curious ensures that students will continue to gain knowledge in the best and most engaging way possible. With different perspectives and unwavering dedication, these educators will make a lasting impact on every student who steps into their classrooms. Peninsula is lucky to have such amazing teachers.