Faces of AACPS: Real People, Real Stories.
Read stories from students, families, staff, and community partners from schools in the South River 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
South River High School Acknowledged as a Top Engineering Source School for 2023
The University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering has named South River High School as one of its Top 25 Source Schools for 2023. The Clark School ranks 19 overall among more than [...]
South River High School named to the 2023 AP School Honor Roll Gold School List
South River High School had 74% their of seniors who took at least one AP exam during high school
Central Elementary School… The Spirit of Caring
This act of kindness is just one example of how caring and dedicated these teachers are. I am truly grateful for everything they do.
Winton Scholar 2023 – Nathan A.
I am “forever looking towards the sky.”
2023 Rising Star at Edgewater Elementary – Brandon Woodroffe
Unless people like you care and awful lot of things won't change.
How STEM Helped Me Build My Future
With the guidance of my parents, I was able to realize that this whole time STEM was helping me build a stable future.
A Whole New World of Books
"Dear Ms. Radisi...I loved having you as a media teacher and I'm really sad that I can't do your lessons in person with you."--Rylee, Student, Crofton Meadows Elementary
Welcoming the Diversity of Our Family
"[Mrs. Joop] accepted our differences and made me and my family feel the Unity that you speak about in schools."--Bana Mahmoud, Parent, Crofton Meadows Elementary
How One Project Changed My Life
"This one project has impacted my life moving forward. Knowing now how much I enjoy research and analysis will help me when it comes to choosing a major in college or finding my career path." --Jocelyn, South River High School
Have Only Positive Expectations
"I refer to my teaching philosophy as "Soul Food" because of having the opportunity to beautifully educate my students in mind, body and soul."--Carla Matthews, Center of Applied Technology South
Presence Sets the Tone
"My philosophy of teaching is simple: make connections and strive to be your best self. As teachers, we shoulder great responsibility regarding the impact we have on our students' lives."--Laura Currey, Central Elementary
Creating Lifelong Learners and Community Members
"I believe that providing my students with an engaging, rigorous, and hands-on lesson, inspires their learning. These lessons allow them to retain the concepts taught and make real-world connections."--April Crovo, Mayo Elementary
Katie Wilhelm Smith, South River High School, Class of 1998
Fox45, National Geographic, and now TLC—Katie has spent her career sharing stories through video and television. That passion was ignited at South River High School, where she learned the writing skills to tell a story and was given the freedom to be herself on and off camera.
STEMtastic Week
During this week-long event, teachers and community volunteers who work in the STEM field collaborate to introduce students to a wide variety of STEM topics and activities.
Thank You For Making a Difference to My Son’s Day!
"Most importantly, she has made my son so happy while he is at school."
An Important Part of My Son’s Village
"That confidence Mrs. Erdely has given my son, the constant communication she has with me on how he is doing-- she is a true educator."--Katherine Moore
An Integral Part of South River’s Signature Program
The South River family is rich in so many ways because of people like Tyler Bennett who, “approaches each day with the attitude…what can I do today to have a positive impact and improve the lives of others?”
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
Encouraging Literacy By Sharing Stories
Many schools have guest reader programs. Waugh Chapel Elementary decided to enhance this program by implementing Mystery Reader Days.
The Power of Relationships
"I believe that great teaching begins with forming positive, meaningful relationships with students."--Josh Carroll, SRHS
Inspired to Achieve Greatness
"I’ve risen above thinking I achieved greatness on my own; and I’ve embraced the responsibility to ignite and stoke in my students the fire that was started inside of me." --Iris Crankfield, SRHS
What a Perfect Job
"I love the promise that each new school year brings. I love the smell of a fresh box of crayons. I love seeing the smile on a child’s face when they feel good about themselves."--Josalyn Brown, Crofton Woods Teacher
Creating an Engaging Environment for All Students
"Classrooms are not quiet. They should be filled with conversation and movement."--Amy Shinn, Central ES Teacher
Whatever it takes to help my students succeed in math
"If I can give them at least one year where they feel successful in math, then that will carry throughout high school."--Laura Casciato, Central Middle School
Building the Foundation of Learning Through Relationships
"I believe that building relationships with students and staff is the glue that holds all the essential components of teaching and learning together."--Nancy Hack-Behringer, Mayo Elementary Teacher
Pushing Myself to Explore the World Through my Signature Program
"Everything changed when I enrolled in the Global Communications and Public Affairs Signature Program my junior year. Through the GCPA program at South River, I developed from a good student into an outstanding student, from a confused teenager into a confident young woman. The class taught me how to handle myself in formal business environments, how to pursue a career that I am passionate about, how to network and create valuable connections, how to go out into the Real World ready for anything it can throw at me."--Juliana Boyle, SRHS Alum
“Show me a leader, a scholar, a changemaker — and I’ll show you an educator who inspired such glory.”
"My experiences as an AACPS educator have been shaped by these pathways – by the pathfinders who identified my potential, and then catapulted me into arenas where others might do the same." --Jasmine Coleman
Paying a Passion for Teaching Forward
"It is because of Mr. Glorioso that I was hired for [the cosmetology teacher at the Center of Applied Technology North]. When I expressed my gratitude to him he simply said, 'Now you go and give to someone else.'"--Tammy Diedrich
How A Teacher Continues to Encourage, Years After My Son Left Her Classroom
"When my son started kindergarten I was worried... I didn't know anything about the teachers at Davidsonville Elementary school and didn't realize how getting the letter saying Mrs. Jones would be his teacher would change his life."--Melissa Wirzburger, Parent
Elementary Music Teacher Turns Mother-in-Law
"Thank you Suzy Wyatt for being MY amazing K-5 Music teacher at Davidsonville Elementary (still going 41 years strong!). "--Meredith Krissoff, Alum & Employee
My Incredible Experience in Robotics
"My robotics team 1111 (the Power Hawks) and the FIRST organization have provided me with so many skills and experiences that have changed who I am today. I joined the team last year, for the 2015-2016 season, and it was honestly one of, if not the greatest year of my life." -- Shannon, Grade 12
Thank You Mr. Tayman!
"Mr. Tayman, through your talent, guidance, and dedication, so many students have developed outstanding skills and furthered their love of music."—Jennifer Ballard
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
Grateful for my Amazing Teachers
"Through the past couple years, I have had great teachers at Central Elementary, Central Middle, and South River High Schools." --Ian, Grade 11
“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
