Faces of AACPS: Real People, Real Stories.
Read stories from students, families, staff, and community partners from schools in the North County 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
2023 Rising Star at Brooklyn Park Elementary – Rebecca Meyer
They’re going to remember you. You are dinner table conversation at night. Their families will know you.
Empowering Students to Lead: Lindale Middle School’s Teacher of the Year Finalist shares her secrets
You can be the best advocate for kids who don’t have a voice and have dreams to be more. It’s a noble profession and students need your DNA to access and unlock what they are going to be.
Passion for Motivating Students
Nisa's passion for motivating students started in the 4th grade.
Celebrating Differences, Adapting to Change, and Finding Success
Welcome to Camp Kramer! We are a family that starts each day with hugs, high fives, and a bonfire (community circle).
A Valuable Asset to the School Community
Ravens Roost #137 Booster Club, in partnership with the North Glen Community Church, has been a valuable asset to the school community.
Park Elementary Rocks!
"I want to thank you for all of your hard work this year, especially during this COVID-19 crisis. It has been difficult but you have done a wonderful job for our children."--Lilly Davidson, Park Elementary
The Best Mom, Grandmother, Teacher in AACPS
"Veronique Cole is very smart and has inspired me to become a teacher."--Maya Gibson
Meet the PDM Intern
"On a run-of-the-mill Tuesday in March of 2019, I found myself nervously walking up a flight of stairs for an internship interview. My mind was racing with questions I may be asked and I was ecstatic..." -Jaden Yanovitz
Welcome to the Family Involvement Conference!
On November 16th, the 2019 Family Involvement Conference took place at AACC. The conference is an annual event that welcomes families, community members, and educators to participate in interactive workshops and discussions pertaining to the children and youth of AACPS. The theme of this year’s conference, “All Means All: Embracing and Learning Through Our Diversity,” highlights how families can discuss cultural, social or economic differences in a healthy way.
Our CommUNITY Barbecue
"This year, the school celebrated Unity Day by hosting a CommUNITY Barbecue in the evening. All students and their families were invited. The event was a huge success!"--Joyce Kovack, George Cromwell Elementary School
Paving My Way with AACPS Magnet Programs
"Every person’s high school experience is different, but in my case, two distinct AACPS programs (PVA and STEM) paved the way for me to continue a successful career in and after high school."--Jaden, Grade 12
Transforming North Glen’s Volunteer Program
“We are thankful for Miss Bunny and all the volunteers that helped this school year. Having them in the classroom made a world of difference.”
Helping My Kids At Home and in Our School
"Being in the classroom, I’m seeing what they’re going through and I can help and reassure them. Knowing that I have that insight means I’m helping kids here and I’m helping them at home."
Learning New Skills at Park
"I wish the whole world knew that Park is a friendly school where teachers teach you about strategies and skills."
We Are a Family at Park Elementary School
As educators, "We wouldn’t bring our own children here if we didn’t think they’d get the best education possible."
At Home At Park
"This is where I feel I do my best work and I never want to be anywhere else—I never need to be anywhere else."
Park is a Special School
"I don’t know what makes this school special, but it’s just special to me."
I’ve Never Found a Better School
"If I had my way, this school would go from PreK-12th grade so my son would never have to leave."
Educating Students & Families
"Ms. Blondell believes, like I do, that you not only need to educate the child, you need to educate the parents."
Making a Difference with My Park Family
"This school is like a family--the students, the employees, and the community—it’s what keeps me here and it’s the reason that I want this to be the school I retire from."
Meeting Students’ Needs Outside of School
“So many of these families don’t have family support, which makes what HOPE [For All] does so important. ...The impact is just incredible.”
Making Sure No Student Goes Hungry
Severna Park United Methodist Church and the Children's Ministry has supported Brooklyn Park Elementary School’s Backpack Buddies Program for the past six years.
Starting the Day Off Right
"It's a great day to have a great day at Hilltop Elementary"--Kelly Thomas
We Know We Are Safe at Hilltop
Fifth grade students Aubrey-Ann and Blair share why Hilltop Elementary School is special.
NASA Best Club at Hilltop Elementary School
Grade 3 student William shares his experience in the NASA Best science club at Hilltop Elementary School.
What Makes Hilltop Special?
"I think Hilltop is a special place because, to me, it's all about the people I get to spend it with."
“You Have to Learn!”
Third Grade student Raymond shares why it is so important to learn when you're in school.
“The positivitiy is palpable”
"You know that all the teachers care about the students and all the students want to be here because of that care, because of that love."--Hannah MacDonald
Supporting Hilltop’s International Family Community
Bilingual Facilitator Diana Rivera talks about some of the events at Hilltop Elementary School that help engage the community's international families.
Why I Like Hilltop Elementary
Watch third grade student, Lexy, share what makes Hilltop Elementary School so special.
Feeling Valued at Hilltop
"I really feel valued here by my administration, teachers, and students. It’s a place I like to come to everyday. It’s also a place I feel like we can voice our ideas freely."--Darren Towers
Filling Student’s Imagination Through Reading
Third grade student Brielle talks about power of the books she's read at Hilltop Elementary School.
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
Remembering the Spirit of Giving Back
Folger McKinsey Elementary parent Caroline Bowman & Hilltop Elementary Counselor Ms. Spain talk about the impact of the holiday gift donation program has on students at both Folger McKinsey and Hilltop.
Get Ready to Read!
Just like a walk-a-thon, this program raises money based on how much each entrant reads. In this case, each minute spent reading translated into miles....This program has been in place for four years. In that time, it has raised over eighteen thousand dollars. Of course, it has also helped to support the cause of literacy. The Read-a-Thon is now one of the biggest, most successful school wide events at Linthicum Elementary.
Creating Meaningful Experiences through German
"The 21st century demands on students are rigorous, but my classroom is a safe area for students to take risks and to discover that mistakes are simply opportunities for learning."--Katrina Griffin, NCHS
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.
Finding a Path to College through AVID and the Gates Millennium Scholarship
"As a junior in high school, the thought of college was an overwhelming and stressful one. With my teacher’s guidance through the AVID program, my questions were answered and I began to develop a plan. As senior year rolled around, I had a plan, but no financial means of achieving it. My teachers encouraged me to apply for the Gates Millennium Scholarship. When I received the decision email from Gates a few months later I scrolled down cautiously, only to see, "Congratulations!" and my life has forever been changed. " --Cierra Carter
Learning to Love Politics in Mr. Sullivan’s Classroom
"Maryland's best-kept secret is that the best teachers in the world are at North County High School. One teacher for me stands out in particular. Mr. Dennis Sullivan, or "Sully," taught my AP U.S. Government, STEM Policy, and AP Human Geography courses and was also my (one-time) lacrosse coach. Sullivan has many strengths as a teacher, but by far his best attribute is his ability to get students excited about politics."--Christopher Frye, NCHS 2012 Graduate
“You are an artist and you will never be happy until you pursue life as an artist.”
"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
“I believe [the STEM Program] has opened doors and granted me so much preparation for the years to come.”
"Looking into the next couple years, I hope to be studying nursing at a university. STEM has prepared me to do so, giving me connections and opportunities that I won’t ever forget." --Amanda
“The encouragement I received daily…afforded me an understanding that university could not.”
"I was assigned to a school near Friendship Airport in Linthicum, which served as the bedroom for the mega company Westinghouse. Andover High School, which had opened a mere five years before, was, I was told, "the garden spot of Anne Arundel County." I was to learn before long that indeed it was a special place." --Wayne Shipley
“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
“That special relationship, and friendship, helped begin me on my way to becoming the man with the confidence to believe in himself as I moved from lawyer to legislator to judge.”
"Thus began my friendship with what quickly became the first adult to take me seriously as a peer. For the first time in my life, I could argue with an adult who took me seriously. And it was at Andover that teachers like that history teacher did that for me. Without them, I would not be who I am. I owe them a lot." --Mike Burns
