Faces of AACPS: Real People, Real Stories.
Read stories from students, families, staff, and community partners from schools in the Southern 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 Tracey’s Elementary – Dalen Parker
My third grade teacher, shout out to Ms. Mandy Brew. She has stuck with me since I was in 3rd grade. She went to my high school graduation. She saw me go through college, and she’s always been that teacher.
“I love Lothian Elementary.”
"I want to share that I was new at my school this year and I just wanted to tell people how nice people are at my school. I mean its only the third quarter and I feel like I have been here the whole time."--Eleanor, Grade 4
Briana Gresko: Inspiring My Daughters’ Musical Journeys
"She inspired them to audition for All-County, All-State, Solo and Ensemble, and even All-Eastern...She was always kind and caring to both girls, and they both saw her as their mentor and coach."--Melinda Keenan, Parent of Former AACPS Students
Lauren Walker: Guiding Daughters’ Love of Music
"Both my daughters are in college now for music, and our family was blessed with strong music teachers in their lives who inspired and guided them."--Melinda Keenan, Parent
A Fun Place to Work–Every Part of the Day!
"I'm thankful for amazing staff members who make car rider line a fun place during morning drop off!"--Casey Lee, Tracey's Elementary
Beyond Thankful for Our Shady Side Family
"They make everyday great for the students and really care about them! It’s like one big family at our school."--Julia Howes, Parent
Music: The Universal Language
"I believe that my music classroom, and the lessons I conduct, should provide a creative language that can be communicated by all." --Victoria Scalfaro, Lothian Elementary
Reviving Southern’s Agriculture Science Program
"Dr. Eckels, you are not just teaching a class you are educating our future in life skills. Thank you for all that you do for your students and what your are bringing to Southern High School."
Blades of Green: Bringing the World of Business to Our Students
"Businesses like Blades of Green are key in connecting our students with opportunities to work in industries of interest and for companies that are respected in their industry."
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
Tutoring with the NSA
Employees of the National Security Administration visit Meade Middle School on a weekly basis to tutor students in all grade levels and subject areas! ESOL and Math students in particular have benefited greatly from their services.
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
My students’ home away from home
"Classroom culture and environment directly impacts student success. My philosophy of teaching is built around this statement and begins by creating a home away from home for my students."--Marlene Kramer, Southern High School
The Key to a Successful Year
"What worked in the classroom today, may not work tomorrow. Therefore, I am continuously seeking new ideas."--Alane Connolly, Shady Side Elementary
Connecting With My Students to Build Better Relationships
"The more I learn, the better able I am to provide engaging lessons that support them in growing as learners and rise to their fullest potential."--Christina McCall, Deale ES
“Be the beacon that guides students”
"Receiving an education should inspire and encourage students to strive to be productive members of a community, great citizens, and meaningful contributors of society."--Tori Peddicord, Southern Middle School
Mrs. Sheckells’ Impact–From One Generation to the Next
"I can't even begin to express my appreciation for Mrs. Sheckells. She taught me over 20 years ago and I was so fortunate to have her teach my three daughters at Shady Side Elementary."--Cathy Gates, Alum & Parent
The BEST Art Teacher who taught me so much more: Mrs. Sheckells
"As I entered Shady Side Elementary in my new role as a teacher in August of 1996, a familiar voice spoke to me. It was Mrs. Sarah Sheckells, my former art teacher... Over the last 21 years, Mrs. Sheckells transitioned from my classroom teacher to a peer, mentor, colleague, and friend." --Jennifer Sturgell
From Coaching to Administration–How Principals are Made
“A pertinent question to ask during this month where we recognize administrators is what experience prepared you for the challenges of the position? Of course the numerous workshops, books/articles read and years worked in the classroom helped. But in my particular case, my many years coaching on the sideline provided me with incredible advantages that translated to the skills I would need as an administrator.”—Kevin Buckley, Principal
Inspiring Students through the Media Center
"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
Technology in Action
"Me: "Time for your spelling pre-test." Son: "I don't have my list. Oh, wait, Mr. Witmer put it on OneDrive. Just a second Mom."" --Jessica Tickle
“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
