Faces of AACPS: Real People, Real Stories.
Read stories from students, families, staff, and community partners from schools in the Annapolis feeder system.
Inspired to share your own story?
AACPS STEM Awards 2024 Celebrates Excellence in Students and Teachers
"The best way to predict the future is to invent it" - Alan Kay, Winner of the A.M. Turing Award
Diving into the Symphony of Music with Ms. B: Student’s interview schools choir and music teacher
In an interview with Ms. B at Annapolis Middle, the student podcast team there asked Ms. B what led her to want to go down a path in the music field and how she happily ended up where she is now.
Exploring the World of Dance with Coach G: Student’s interview school’s Dance instructor
In this interview, AMS's Student podcast team interviews the dance instructor: Coach G. In this interview they cover topics like what it takes to be a Dance instructor, and how childhood passions can be beneficial and lead to a career.
A Student Interview with Ms. Hammaker: Supporting our Students Mental Health
Working with so many students give me a sense of purpose and being able to help people is important to me. - Ms. Hammaker
A Great Community Opportunity for Local Youth with the SOFO Beautification Project
"What's great about the project is the youth who work on the project get rewarded by having a day in the Bay on a boat. We really wanted them to connect to the maritime theme," Jennifer Balducci.
Seventh Grade Artists Leave Their Mark on SOFO Maritime Heritage Fence Project
"We had working on the art for the fence project with Mr. Fenton. He really lets us be creative in art club" - Seventh Grade AMS Art Club Student
2023 AACPS Model UN Conference Spotlight: Annapolis High School Teams Up with Annapolis Middle School to Guide their Inaugural Model UN Participation
"Annapolis High (AHS) and Severna Park High students largely ran the event by serving as the dais in each room. They taught parliamentary procedure, modeled best practices for serving in a committee, and selected the participants who should be recognized with awards. These students did most of the work on the day of the event, and they did very well!" - Ms. Sarah Poole, SPHS Social Studies Department Chair
Bestselling Author Kami Garcia Inspires Annapolis Middle Students with a Visit & Advice on Finding Their Voice as an Author
"I really liked hearing about how she found her voice as a writer. It made me want to start writing more and to experiment with different styles."
“A Chat with Ms. Brown, AMS School Psychologist.” An Interview by Young Journalists at Annapolis Middle.
In my heart I want to make a difference in the lives of students.
2023 Rising Star at Bates Middle – Stephaen Hood
The kids talk to each other and say "wait, Mr. Hood sings too?"
Empowering Self-Worth and Peer Mentoring: Meet the Tyler Heights Elementary School Second Grade Teacher Who is a Finalist for Teacher of the Year
The heart of teaching is our kids. The future of the world is in this classroom. What we do now is building moral human beings.
Wellness is the Key: Annapolis High’s Teacher of the Year Finalist Shares Her Motivation
If you seek work of the heart, then be a teacher. It fuels your soul as you pour love out. It’s immeasurable the impact you have and the impact it has on you.
Principal of the Year 22-23, Richard Rogers of Mills-Parole Elementary School Advocates for “Constant Reflection as the Key to Become Better Educator and Leader”
Stay at it! It is worth it and fulfilling. Kids need dedicated teachers from all backgrounds.
Advocating for Students
One of the most fundamental roles of an educator is that of an advocate.
AMS National Junior Honor Society Inducts 60 Students
The induction ceremony was a proud moment for both the students and their families. It's a testament to their hard work and dedication to their academic and personal growth.
A Role Model with the Tools to Inspire
Artsy Partsy, led by Jeannette Nunez, began working closely with our Change Engineering Signature Program and our Signature Program Facilitator, Mrs. Becky Hogan, during the 2019-2020 school year.
Coldwell Banker & The Backpack Buddy Program
The Backpack Buddy program was designed to provide meals to students struggling with food insecurity over the weekend.
Community Partner and Lifelong Friend
Ranger Burman has been with Anne Arundel County Parks Department for 13 years and has been Senior Park Ranger for 6 of those 13 years.
AACPS Spotlight: Dr. Somerville, Annapolis Middle Counselor
Annapolis High and Middle, just know Dr. Somerville is rooting for you
Annapolis Middle Celebrates Black History Month with the community
"It was great to see and feel the community valued having this event"--Breanna Walker, Teacher
A Lot of Gratitude for the Family at Georgetown East
" I feel a lot gratitude for the school & teachers. They are very important part of my kids' life and family."--Ingrid Sandy, Parent of former students
Picking Up Where I Left Off: My Journey with AACPS
"My journey with AACPS had picked up where I left off, switching roles from student to teacher. I'm happily continuing my journey, and hope I end up having a strong impact on my students, just as my teachers had on me."--Tiffany Pfeiffer, AACPS Teacher & Alum
Embracing the Real World
"My teaching philosophy views every learner as both a psychological and social construct; because neglecting or subordinating one to the other can result to behaviors that can be detrimental to the teaching and learning environment." --Martin Noga, Annapolis High School
Being an Educator is an Honor
"I believe that it is equally important to help my students realize that they can be world changers; to teach the whole child." --Bonita Bradway, Tyler Heights Elementary
A Partnership that Fits
"We want to remove the barrier of not having proper shoes so kids can attend class everyday prepared to reach their highest potential.”
Words of Encouragement for Kinship Caregivers
"Kinship care is something I can relate to personally. Being raised by my grandparents, I know firsthand how it feels to not reside with a biological parent."--Chasity McGhee
The pleasure of working with Mrs. Brimhall
"We often recognize those in the classroom and those educators associated with the academic success of our students, but today I wanted to highlight an educator that is exposing our students to the arts in a positive, professional, and most of all meaningful way."--Nikki Johnson
“The Mills-Parole Way”
I am very pleased to present Mills-Parole Elementary with this plaque in recognition of your wonderful program that supports literacy as well as the development of caring, competent, and contributing citizens.
Inspired to Be My Best
“My students and colleagues inspire me to be the best that I can be. I endeavor to do the same for them.”—Dawn Conway, Hillsmere Elementary
Reaching Towards Individualized Growth
"Teaching is part of who I am, and thank goodness there is still much to learn."--Tonia Haislip, Bates Middle School Teacher
Being the Constant for My Students
"It was and still is my mission that every student can exceed everyone's expectations given the appropriate environment and support so that they can become successful contributing members of society."--Tamara Saxon, MM@JAA Teacher
More than a Job: Teaching is a Passion
"My philosophy for teaching is very simple. Everything I do, every interaction that I have with my students, must serve the students to educate and make them feel empowered."--Stacey Scofield, Mills-Parole Elementary School Librarian
Four Elements that Drive My Classroom
"My experience has led me to hold four elements sacred in my classroom...high expectations, engaging & differentiated instruction, parent involvement, and a culture of student dignity & value."--Sally Paz y Miño Wilson, THES Teacher
Thank You for Inspiring My Son’s Love of Reading!
"I just wanted to thank Ms. Hoffman for helping my son's love reading!"--Nancy Cahlink-Seidler, Parent
Building Self-Confidence in Tyler Heights’ S.E.L.F Program
"In the fifth grade, my school Tyler Heights had a program called S.E.L.F which still continues now. This program helps young girls to gain determination, and self-confidence. I learned a lot from that program, and go there almost every Friday to see the new S.E.L.F girls."--Ariyanna
Watching My Daughter Grow in Mrs. Miller’s Classroom
"Miller has the patience, heart, and firmness that my daughter needs to be not only successful in 5th Grade, but to be prepared for middle school."--Kristin Schrecker, Parent
How My Music Teacher Has Helped Me
"In fourth grade, I decided to start playing the saxophone. My teacher was Mrs. Emily James, and she was a fantastic teacher."--Nicholas, Grade 8
Using Community Building Circles to Strengthen our School Community
"[Community building circles are] now part of our morning routine and our staff looks forward to giving 'shout outs,' learning about new students coming to our school, and having courageous conversations!"--Tiffany Stewart Kline, Assistant Principal, Mary Moss @ J. Albert Adams
An Overdue Thank You to the Teachers at Hillsmere Elementary
"How long has it been, since I left Hillsmere Elementary School? I am not really too sure of the names of my classmates, but I know three teachers who, played a fantastic roll in my development and interest in self-improvement that has followed me to this day."--Tracy Lee
The Five Restorative Questions in Action!
"Restorative Questions provide a framework that helps adults as they guide students through a reflection of their actions, what harm they caused, and how they can repair that harm. This helps them be part of creating an honorable pathway back to the classroom – and to learning!"--Kathy Rockefeller
From Annapolis Class of 1982 to Documentary Filmmaker
As a new "Guest Performer/Artist" with the Performing and Visual Arts program in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, I look forward to exploring digital storytelling as a way to combine multiple disciplines and enhance learning experiences.
The Key to Changing the World
“My life has constantly been affected by my teachers, my family, and my friends. I owe all my success to them, not because they taught me, but because they have continued to inspire me and support my life.”—Donchell, 12th Grade Student
Jordan Potter, Annapolis High School, Class of 2011
Jordan always knew he loved working on cars. So after two years in the Automotive Technology Program at CAT South and with the support of the AACPS Internship Program, he became an intern at Tiff’s Foreign Car Care, a specialty care shop that focuses on high-end vehicles, during his senior year of high school. Years later, Jordan is still at Tiff’s, now as the Service Manger & Mechanic and still loves what he does.
“Cool School” Annapolis Middle NJHS & SGA take the Polar Bear Plunge to help Special Olympics Maryland
"The students were really excited to do this to show they can help with something bigger than themselves.”—Alex Tougas, Teacher
AACPS School Social Workers: Guiding Latino Students through Character Development
“As the School Social Worker at Annapolis Middle School, one initiative that I am excited to be involved with is the new El Joven Nobel program that Maria Baez (school social worker from Mary Moss at J. Albert Adams Academy) and I launched. El Joven Noble (The Noble Young Man) is a youth leadership and character development program for male students in grades 6 and 7 at Annapolis Middle School that supports and guides Latino youth through a “rites of passage” process. Developed by Jerry Tello in 1988, the program utilizes a 12-session curriculum focusing on the prevention of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, relationship violence, gang involvement, and school failure.”—Lisa Keough
“I had no idea that leading the [Model UN] conference would awaken in me an idea that I could someday change the world.”
"When I was in seventh grade at Annapolis Middle School, my social studies teacher handed me an old, roughly worn-out gavel and said “Jacqueline, I’m electing you as Secretary General for our school’s Model United Nation’s conference--be ready, it’s next week,” and without giving me a moment to either accept or refuse, walked away and went on with his day...I had no idea that leading this conference would awaken in me an idea that would shape the rest of my academic career at AACPS--the idea that I could someday change the world." --Jacqueline Foley
“How prepared students are for college or careers depends on what they get from the school system, and we want to be a part of that.”
"As a credit union focused on helping members of the educational community achieve their financial dreams, the fundamental belief in the power and importance of giving back is at the core of everything the Educational Systems Federal Credit Union does. Throughout Maryland, this organization works with seven different public school systems and three community colleges to support education at all levels." --Vic Samuels
“I remember this meeting so well because it was the first meeting in the program that would change my life. “
"Ever since this first meeting I have been heavily involved with the Change-Engineering Signature Program. Mr. Elston has helped me in many different ways to accomplish my dream, like introducing me to congressman and many State Delegates. I truly believe if a student has someone like Mr. Elston in their life the things they can accomplish will be outstanding. " --Josh Lewis
“Students crave relevance to the academics that they are learning. Community members bring that relevance by sharing their personal and professional experiences with the students.”
"My passion is with the Signature Programs in the high schools. These themed programs engage students in real world experiences, teaching them soft skills that are not always part of the standard curriculum." --Bruce Morgenstern
“What we’re really doing is growing a community…that says education is important to us”
"No matter whether we're a private individual, private organization, or civic organization, we have a responsibility to be good citizens and do what we can to make sure the next generation grows up and is successful." --Joe Van Deuren
