Kudos to Rick Federighi, an eighth-grade history and social-science teacher at Ralston Intermediate School in Belmont.

He is the 2008 Educator of the Year for the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District.

Federighi (the guy with the plaque in the photo) has served at Ralston for more than 30 years.

Students know him as a tough but fair teacher, said Principal Jennifer Kollmann.

“The parents view him as a phenomenal instructor,” Kollmann added. “His colleagues respect him and rely on his support.”

Federighi was cited as being able to provide numerous opportunities for his students to learn history beyond simply lecturing from the front of the classroom.

“Classroom conversations include elements of history and life lessons inserted in the discussion,” Kollmann said. “Rick’s students feel empowered to discover more of the local history after taking his class. They have a desire to learn additional history topics and often return to Ralston to share their high school history success with Rick.”

As the district’s top teacher, Federighi received an engraved plaque and a donation of $500 for use in his classroom from Tom and Eda Diridon, owners of Carlmont Associates real-estate services company in Belmont.

He also got a gift certificate for dinner for two at Vivace’s Restaurant.