"I absolutely love my role as an Equity Liaison. It allows me to live my passion... My hope is to spread my love for education and for impacting the lives of children, to individuals who also have similar passions." --Mabel Stoll
"I started working for AACPS in 2009. Working for AACPS has provided me the opportunity to grow my career from a teacher to specialist." --Nicole Trader-Morgeson
Dynamic display voice output communication device.
Mark is an ECI student at Ruth P. Eason School. His classroom teachers, speech-language pathologists, and assistive technology specialist have worked collaboratively to provide Mark with a communication tool which best meets his needs. Mark received a dynamic display voice output communication device which he now uses with increasing independence daily. He expresses requests, protests unwanted objects or actions, and shares information with others using his communication device.
Background & ChallengesWilliam was a typically developing infant until around age 12 months. At that time, he began to lose interest in people and started to play with only a few toys in a repetitive fashion. He was no longer smiling at his parents. His pediatrician referred him to the Infants and Toddlers Program, where he was evaluated.
William received services in a specialty program for students with autism from a special educator, speech pathologist, occupational therapist and a technician. He attended the class for 90 minutes/ day, 5 days per week. William made rapid progress, making eye contact, engaging with family members and using words functionally. His parents enrolled in the More Than Words program, designed for family members of children on the autism spectrum. This program helped them learn how to connect with William. William is experiencing so much success that he no longer needs to attend his specialty class. He is able to successfully attend a community preschool with the support of a special education teacher through Community Based Services.
"I student taught in 1972 at Glen Burnie High School and went under contract with the Anne Arundel County Board of Education as a theatre arts teacher. At the time, there were no dance classes offered in the school system, so I developed a dance curriculum for credit, taught it during the school day, and grew it into the largest dance program in a public high school in Maryland." --Dianne Rosso
Background & ChallengesJasmin began her Head Start experience with very few independent hygienic skills. She depended on adults to care for her most basic needs.
Jasmin receives occupational therapy in her community-based program. With an adaptation, Jasmin has learned to remove the cap on her toothpaste without assistance. She can also independently manage her clothing in the bathroom.
Recognizing special education is a journey with no true finish lines, just continuous opportunities to grow in a limitless future, the Anne Arundel County Public School System and Department of Special Education has embraced the concept of responsibility, independence and contribution in its delivery of specialized instruction for students with disabilities. The commitment to children and passion in making a difference, collaboratively, is evident in all aspects of our educational programs. In fact, it is due to the integration of services, outreach to family and community and a strong belief that all students can learn, that our students have acquired the academic, vocational and social/emotional skills needed to transition to adulthood with conviction, self-confidence and competence.
The establishment of a dynamic and responsive learning community of general and special education for students with disabilities that:
Mo is using a Perkins Braille Writer and BrailleNote Apex to complete a quarterly math assessment.
Mo uses an assistive technology device to access the curriculum. Some of his devices are designed specifically to help people with vision loss, such as the BrailleNote Apex, a computer screen reader, a braille embosser/printer and a talking calculator.
The Office of Digital Media’s vision statement explains that school libraries should be “the hub of the school and [should be] innovative, vibrant, and flexible spaces, staffed with school librarians who inspire students to become tech savvy and independent life-long readers and learners.” To turn this vision into a reality, Anne Arundel County Public Schools and the Office of Digital Media Services depend on their vibrant team of 126 creative, dedicated, and passionate Media Specialists.
"My story is simple. It is one of love and commitment. I am committed to making a difference in the lives of my children, their friends, their teachers, and our environment through volunteering. Even if all I have to give my student’s school is a little love and two hours of commitment per month, I know that I am doing something." --LaToya Staten
"In my first year as a student at Brooklyn Park Jr. Sr. High School I met Hal Gomer, a visual art teacher and the after school theatre director... Because of his influence, I began to recognize that I related to the world in ways that were different from other people and that, for the first time, my way of relating felt accepted." --Ken Skrzesz
"The Office of Student Data's very own SIS Support Specialist, Gary Mills, has earned Expert status in SQL Server Development…Teachers like Mr. Mills make a difference all over our county in all areas of expertise." --Jessica Tickle on Gary Mills
"After working in my past position with the Frederick Keys and having a relationship with Frederick County Public Schools, it has been a pleasure working with those involved in business partnership within Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) upon my start with the Bowie Baysox in 2014." --Adam Pohl
"Our current media specialist, Cynthia Bischoff, joined our school only a year ago, but she has made a great impact on our students." --Cindy Holsworth on Cynthia Bischoff
"As a staff photographer, I get to view the big picture through my camera lens, the incredible dynamic that makes up our school system. I wish that every stakeholder in our county could see our school system from my viewpoint, which is a constant reminder that we produce an incredible product within our industry, the education and growth of a toddler to a young adult." --Mike Edgar
