Faces of AACPS: Real People, Real Stories.
Read stories from students, families, staff, and community partners from schools in the Arundel feeder system.
Inspired to share your own story?
Shaping the Leaders of Tomorrow: The Only Competitive Speech and Debate Team in Anne Arundel County
For many students, Speech and Debate is 'their thing.' It gives them a group to belong to that gets them involved in the school, especially if there might not be another activity that connects them to the school or their peers. - Teresa Dimka
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
Innovation in the Classroom: Meet the Arundel High School Teacher who’s a Teacher of the Year Finalist!
In my time capsule I would include a microphone because there are so many stories that can be told just from this year.
Providing Unconditional Love in the Classroom
My teaching philosophy begins and ends with unconditional love.
A Committed AP Teacher, Even in a Shutdown
"[My son] could not have [prepared for his AP Calculus exam] without Ms. Nakanishi's dedication and guidance."--Maria Dyson, Arundel High School
Keeping Our Kids Going through Two Transitions
"[Ms. Kwaloff's] ability to adapt, change, and connect to each of these kids in her class is something that you’d pray for."--Sarah Smith, Parent
Welcoming to Everyone in Her Classroom
"[Mollie Dwyer] has had many children with severe disabilities and developmental delays that needed extra attention and time. She welcomed everyone into her classroom and treated them all the same."--Anna Calton
The Teacher & Friend You Wish You Had
"Mollie Dwyer is amazing!!! She is that special teacher and friend you wish you had."--Darren Dooley
Mollie Dwyer: “A Natural with Kids”
"It's not only [Mollie Dwyer's] great heart that makes her a great teacher, but her drive to really help kids in any situation, not just in the classroom. Her patience, encouragement, love and support for all her students is truly amazing."--Jacqueline Kelley
One Caring & Compassionate School Counselor
"Lori Stuart is the most caring and compassionate school counselor I've met." -Salome Stephens
A Familiar Face at Arundel High School
"Ms. Amanda Hernandez (now Coursey) was Noah’s Kindergarten teacher and Tommy’s first grade teacher. ... Now they get to see her every day at Arundel High School!"--The Bell Family
3rd Grade, Here I Come!
"My daughter is going to Nantucket Elementary and she loved her first days of school so far!"--Aneela Ahmad, Parent
Realizing What You Are Capable of
"I believe that ALL students will be successful in my classroom. I want my students to know that my classroom is their community - a place where students feel safe to take academic risks, to accept that mistakes are an important part of learning and life, and to realize that they are capable of great successes." --Michelle Soumah, Arundel Middle School
Guiding Reluctant Wanderers
"I believe that all students can be and should be pushed, pushed to try their hardest, pushed to be deeper thinkers, pushed to take pride in what they produce." --Kristina Ladika, Arundel High School
Collecting Beautiful Moments
"A successful classroom community exists when a teacher takes time to build authentic relationships. In turn, students feel safe and are comfortable taking risks." --Sarah Serena, Waugh Chapel Elementary
Creating a calming area for little brains to grow
"Teachers are worth their weight in gold and my son Grayson has been blessed to have Mrs. Fischetti as his first grade teacher."
Working Alongside the Teachers Who Impacted Me
"It is very exciting for me to be working alongside the teachers that made such a huge difference in my life growing up!"
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
Standing Up Against Bullying
"My 9 year old daughter, Katherine “Katie” O., who is a 5th grade student at Waugh Chapel Elementary School, won the county-wide 2018 AACPS Olivia Constants Foundation Change through the Arts contest."--Jennifer O, Waugh Chapel Elementary
Mrs. Shorter Keeps Parents Engaged
"We really like to know what is going on at school, and I feel a lot more included having Mrs. Shorter as a teacher for my son."--Rachel McDonald, Parent, Waugh Chapel Elementary
Encouraging Literacy By Sharing Stories
Many schools have guest reader programs. Waugh Chapel Elementary decided to enhance this program by implementing Mystery Reader Days.
Paying Teaching Forward
"I hope that one day, my students will remember me as fondly as I remember the teachers who had a positive impact on my life."--Jill Weigelt, Arundel Middle
Teaching Like a Doctor
"I must understand my students, identify concerns, diagnose the areas of difficulty and problem solve for solutions."--Lisa Taltavull, Crofton Middle School Special Education Teacher
Keeping parents engaged!
Mrs. Shorter is my son's teacher for Kindergarten, and she has been a blessing to us. I just wanted to share that Mrs. Shorter has been such a great communicator with the parents.
Skill + Compassion = An Amazing Teacher
I always love visiting Ryan's class during American Education Week and I always hope to see just a "normal" class (meaning, not anything special because the parents will be there....just a typical lesson.) And I was thrilled I got to see just that today in your classroom. But, let me clarify: What I saw was anything but "normal." It was exceptional.
The Definition of Dedication
Mr. Stanzione epitomizes what it means to be a dedicated AACPS employee. He gives so generously of his time.
Wayne Shipley, Arundel High School, Class of 1962
Wayne’s lifelong love of the performing arts began on a high school dare. But over the course of his 30+ years as an English teacher in Anne Arundel County and, later, as an independent filmmaker, Wayne has shared his passion for literature and the arts to help his students—in and out of the classroom—find and follow their own visions for the future.
Our Great School: Arundel Middle
"Thank you for all you do for our sons. They look forward to school each day."--Kallie Ramey, Parent
Bringing Joy and Happiness Through Music
"Music brings out the joy and happiness in the heart. Mrs. Kennelly at Waugh Chapel Elementary teaches music to her students with such dedication and patience."--Deanna Mallon, Parent
How one amazing teacher has forever impacted my son
"Perhaps what has impressed me the most about Ms. Mueller is how well she knows each of her students' unique abilities, family situations, skills, interests, and strengths. It is clear she has taken the time to know every student in front of her as an individual and as a result, each of the students in her class feels valued and important."--Kristen Caminiti
Expressing My Appreciation for Ms. Mueller, an Excellent Teacher at Nantucket
"Ms. Mueller clearly cares about each of her students, and she goes out of her way to let them know it."--Erin Rick, Parent
Nantucket Elementary’s Incredible School Community
“As a parent of two students that have benefited from the incredibly supportive school community at Nantucket Elementary, I wanted to take a few minutes to recognize the school… Throughout the course of my children's time at Nantucket, I could not have hoped for a better experience for them.“--Jennifer Young, Parent.
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.
Finding My Passion through Volunteering
"My dedication, passion, and love for the children I work with give me happiness that is needed in my life." –Aaron Moon
From Student to Employee—A Wonderful Experience in Crofton
"It has been a wonderful experience to be at Crofton Woods, the families have been wonderful to work with and it has been my pleasure to now have the children of past students enrolling at Crofton Woods." --Nila Brown
“I’ve had so many incredible experiences, met amazing people and learned so much not only about the places around me, but about myself.”
"My experience with Arundel's signature program and how the opportunities they gave me led me to where I am today!" --Abby Piegols
“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
“In high school I learned that labels don’t mean anything. It’s not about what is on the outside, it’s what makes up our inner soul.”
"Don't allow yourself to conform to your surrounding environment, keep pushing yourself to become a better person and never forget your true identity. Always remember everyone is fighting their own battle." --Aly Danick
