Faces of AACPS: Real People, Real Stories.
Read stories from students, families, staff, and community partners from schools in the Old Mill 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
Annapolis Art Exhibit Highlights the Work of AACPS Art Students and Teachers
Thank you Ms. Zavistky from Severn Elementary for motivating and inspiring our daughter and her art was part of the exhibit.
Old Mill Middle School South Celebrates Mr. Hall
Mike is one of those teachers you come across once in a great while. He is just great with everyone and always has a smile and a story to tell.
Teaching Mindfulness and Wellness: Meet the Teacher of the Year Finalist from South Shore Elementary School
You have an opportunity to be a changemaker. Everyday is an adventure. You can create a positive experience for students. You, yes you, can make a change in the world.
Severn Elementary Teachers Motivate Students to Tell Their Stories
Ms. Harris inspired Ariatna to publish her first children's book "The Mean Foal, a story about the power of empathy" and Ms. Daugherty has been motivating Ariatna to continue her creative writing
A Manager with the Will to Achieve
Serving individuals with disabilities, the Providence Center provides opportunities for its clients to enjoy more "self determination in leading a more independent, valuable, and functioning role in society."
The AmyStrong Foundation partner with Old Mill Middle South
We are going to grow our partnership with the AmyStrong Foundation by assembling “sunshine boxes” and look forward to collaborating in other ways in the future to support this great cause!
A Great Custodian at Southgate
"We have a great chief at Southgate Elementary School. His name is Carl Owens."--Sarah, Southgate Elementary
Growing My Daughter’s Love of Reading
"Your English class was filled with laughs, great books, higher order thinking and high expectations for writing."--The Tello Family
A Ray of Sunshine at Southgate
"Sarah Moulden, Custodian at Southgate Elementary, is a ray of sunshine with a smile for everyone!"--Molly Arneson, Parent
Rain or Shine, They’re Serving Up Meals & Smiles
"A huge THANK YOU to the amazing [food service] ladies at Old Mill...Ms. Tammy Carper, Ms. Lacresha Gross, Ms. Melissa Cowen, and Ms. Mariluz Lara."--Jadon, Student, OMHS
Thank You Cafeteria Heroes!
"I’d like to share how thankful the staff and students of Glen Burnie Park Elementary are for the wonderful work of our cafeteria heroes Helen Gorman, Brittany Mason and Crew are."--Karen Kivi, Employee
Finding a Profession to Match My Passion
"Walking into the doors of Old Mill Middle South in the summer of 2017 I didn't know what to expect. All I knew was I finally had found a career that fits my purpose in life of making a difference."--Derrick Wallace, Behavior Advocate
Fulfilling My Dream as a Food Nutrition Worker
"I am originally from Copenhagen, Denmark where as a High School Senior, my project was to start our own school cafeteria. Schools in Denmark don't have cafeterias, and my project was a very successful one. Now I am here, at South Shore Elementary, fulfilling my dream!"--Lisbeth Sorensen, South Shore Elementary
Supporting Evan to “become the man he was meant to be”
When Evan was diagnosed with autism as a toddler in 1995, his mother, Andrea, recalls his doctor’s grim words: “Go home and mourn the loss of a normal child.” Fortunately, Andrea then met the director of her local Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) early intervention program, who offered another memorable piece of advice: “You’ll have to invent Evan’s future.”--Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
Celebrating Unity–Wherever We Go
"My students and chaperones celebrated Unity Day on a fall pumpkin patch field trip!"--Rebecca Steiner, Glen Burnie Park Elementary School
Keeping the Focus on the Mental Health of Our Students
"I have the opportunity to help kids who are struggling academically, socially, and emotionally. That is my privilege as a teacher."--Teresa Beilstein, 2019 AACPS Teacher of the Year
Finding a Home in AACPS
"There was never anywhere else I wanted to teach! Anne Arundel County Public Schools were my home when I was younger and are still my home away from home as a teacher!"--Cameron Kenny, AACPS Teacher & Alum
FIRST Lego League Club
To lead Old Mill Middle South’s FIRST Lego League Club, the school turned to two dedicated volunteers.
A Colorful, Positive Environment for Kids to Feel Supported
"The importance of accepting all students and treating each other with kindness is displayed by Mrs. Ward and is therefore displayed by her students. I am thankful that our daughter has Mrs. Ward as a teacher this school year."
Guiding My Love of Teaching
"Thanks for being a supportive and safe environment to recognize my love of teaching!"
Instilling A Love of Art in My Children
"Ms. Ludlow has instilled a love of art in both of my children. She teaches them techniques, introduces them to great artists, and is really giving them a comprehensive cultural experience."
Lucky to Have Ms. Maury
"She consistently goes above & beyond for her students, providing such a positive first-school-experience for our little ones, and we couldn’t be more lucky to have her!!"
When The Call Went Out, SECU Was There
Robert Gazic and the SECU team have been genuine, committed, and eager to assist with the financial education of Old Mill students.
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
Reinforcing Environmental Lessons
South Shore Elementary chose to embrace our role as caregiver to the Bay by using volunteers to help organize a full day of special environmental events called the Green Apple Day Of Service.
Starting The Adventure in Reading!
STAIR is a proven reading and mentoring program designed to provide early intervention for at-risk second grade students.
“You’re Our Biggest Fan”
" I remember my first grade teacher finding ways to communicate with me, a shy, intimated girl who spoke no English...It is important to me to teach the same way I’ve been taught."--Sunny Deitrick, ELA Teacher, OMHS
Students set to showcase their creativity and innovation at Global academic competition
"Destination Imagination, Inc. is a global, volunteer-led non-profit whose mission is to teach students the creative process and help them gain the 21st century skills needed to succeed in the future workforce, including creative and critical thinking, collaborative problem solving and project management. The only elementary-level team from Anne Arundel County invited to compete in Global Finals and represent Maryland is the Millersville Masterminds, from Millersville Elementary."--Stephanie Ashley, Parent
Helping Every Child Get a Healthy Meal
"Southgate's Cafeteria Manager Hannah Newman is one incredible lady and her staff is too. All the kids know Mrs. Hannah, she's more than just a "food service worker," she provides the only meal some of the students get."--Tasha Patterson, Parent
Retired Educator Continues to Spread Joy
Laura Blankenship I am an AACPS: Parent | Volunteer, Rippling Woods Elementary School Rippling Woods has went through so many changes in the past 7 years. I want to thank all the staff there [...]
From student teacher to colleague, I’ve had a mentor in Ms. Zak
"With unwavering persistence, patience, and love, Mrs. Zak not only pushes her children to levels they never thought they could, but she motivates everyone around her to examine the quality of their own teaching and will work with anyone to help them support their students."--Kathleen Tran
Heather Lowe: Going above and beyond to help her students
"Heather Lowe takes time to contact the parents and let them know what their child is doing, be it good or bad."--Laura Blankenship
The Dedication at Rippling Woods
"Rippling Woods Elementary School has so many dedicated teachers who go unappreciated everyday."--Lauren Blackenship, Parent
An amazing first impression at Southgate Elementary School
"We will always look back with gratitude and fondness about our first meeting with the administrative staff who went above and beyond to ensure us that Southgate Elementary was the best choice for our family."-–Linda Hamm
A Child’s Education is a Contact Team Sport and Needs the Support of Parent Volunteers
"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
“My third grade teacher is awesome–that’s saying a lot because I’ve had some great teachers in my almost four years of school.”
"Miss B is super smart and she makes me feel super smart, too. We get to invent things in science all of the time. And my math skills - fractions, multiplication, division, word problems - have gotten so much better." --Dixon, Grade 3
“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
Fostering the STEM Spirit
"Over the course of the last two school years, Mr. Jim Windgassen, Fellow Engineer from the Northrop Grumman Underseas Systems Division, Annapolis, MD has made engineering a reality for over 125 middle school students at Old Mill Middle South. Not only did he dedicate his time and expertise, he donated materials, secured a substantial grant, sought out donations, and oversaw the implementation of each of these builds." --Jim Windgassen
