The “Faces of AACPS” campaign celebrates the people who make Anne Arundel County Public Schools awesome. Since the beginning of 2016, Anne Arundel County Public Schools has been asking current and past members of our school community to tell us about a person, opportunity, or experience in AACPS has had a positive impact in their life.
The Best Mom, Grandmother, Teacher in AACPS
"Veronique Cole is very smart and has inspired me to become a teacher."--Maya Gibson
Keeping Our Kids Going through Two Transitions
"[Ms. Kwaloff's] ability to adapt, change, and connect to each of these kids in her class is something that you’d pray for."--Sarah Smith, Parent
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
“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
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
So Proud of My Glendale & AACPS Family!
"The work that not only our amazing team at Glendale is doing but across Anne Arundel county is so powerful!"--Kristina Johns
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
Welcoming to Everyone in Her Classroom
"[Mollie Dwyer] has had many children with severe disabilities and developmental delays that needed extra attention and time. She welcomed everyone into her classroom and treated them all the same."--Anna Calton
The Teacher & Friend You Wish You Had
"Mollie Dwyer is amazing!!! She is that special teacher and friend you wish you had."--Darren Dooley
Mollie Dwyer: “A Natural with Kids”
"It's not only [Mollie Dwyer's] great heart that makes her a great teacher, but her drive to really help kids in any situation, not just in the classroom. Her patience, encouragement, love and support for all her students is truly amazing."--Jacqueline Kelley
Apex Arts Commercial Band Performance at Rams Head Tavern
The performance at Ram’s Head in Downtown Annapolis helps to illustrate the recognition of their level of achievement and the value of providing these students with real-world music industry experiences.
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
One Caring & Compassionate School Counselor
"Lori Stuart is the most caring and compassionate school counselor I've met." -Salome Stephens
A Fantastic School Counselor
"She works tirelessly to promote social emotional learning at Four Seasons." -Juli Gross
Returning to My Career with the Support of My Colleagues
Hundreds of employees of AACPS report to work daily to make a difference in their students' lives. Some of those employees don't just stop there. See how a simple conversation turned the tides of one of our very own.
Ms. Burdette Keeps Me Successful
"I can say Ms. Burdette is a great teacher role model in my life and I look up to her and all the hard work she puts into her job and how much work she puts into her students."--Aaron, Grade 12, GBHS
A Familiar Face at Arundel High School
"Ms. Amanda Hernandez (now Coursey) was Noah’s Kindergarten teacher and Tommy’s first grade teacher. ... Now they get to see her every day at Arundel High School!"--The Bell Family
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
Picking Up Where I Left Off: My Journey with AACPS
"My journey with AACPS had picked up where I left off, switching roles from student to teacher. I'm happily continuing my journey, and hope I end up having a strong impact on my students, just as my teachers had on me."--Tiffany Pfeiffer, AACPS Teacher & Alum
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.
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
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
Thank you, SPHS!
"I’m thankful for the supportive fellow teachers and my students I work with daily!"--Beverly McFarland
Celebrating Our Student Artists of the Month
"Each month one student in every class at Pasadena Elementary is selected to be the 'Artist of the Month' and their artwork is displayed on a special bulletin board in the main hallway."--Karen O'Boyle, Pasadena Elementary
Many Thanks to a Great Administrator
"I'm grateful for one of the best administrators this county has to offer: Principal Koennel at Richard Henry Lee."--Erika Scarce, Richard Henry Lee
Valuing the Teacher-Parent Partnership
"I am thankful for teachers like Ms. Benny (6th grade advanced math) who take the time each week to send an email to parents to let us know what our kids are working on that week."--Cara Greene, Crofton Middle
Thankful for Our School
"We are so thankful that our daughter loves school!"--Jessica, Riviera Beach 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
Teaming Up with Marines to Advocate for Reading
"Here at Jessup Elementary School, we are advocates for our students to read every day but also enjoy reading! In the spirit of Veterans day we team up with a group of Marines from Fort Meade to read to the entire school."--Atalante Shay, Jessup Elementary
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
Nancy’s Triumph
"I began to meet [Nancy] at lunch time and walk her to her next class so she would not be tempted or pressured to leave. Eventually she confided in me that she was pregnant and did not see how she was going to graduate from high school."--Daryl Penn, PPW
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
A New Start on Life
"I know that this wonderful, giving woman and her husband have given this child a solid foundation filled with love and opportunity. I am so excited to see what great things lie ahead for this student thanks to support of these people."--Allison Mathews, PPW
Seeing the Silver Lining in the Love for our Children
"Where’s the inspiration or silver lining in these situations you may ask? It’s simply the power and influence that one individual may change the outcome of someone’s life for the better."--Jennifer Laque, PPW
A Conversation with Marie
"Marie and I wondered what young children and infants internalize while living with drug addicted parents. What do they see? What do they hear? And how does it affect them later in life?"--Julianne Lockwood
Following My Purpose in AACPS
"My journey with AACPS began as the parent of a Special Education student at Central Special."--Karen McDonough, Bilingual Facilitator
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
Embracing Unity Together
"We had our first ever school wide Unity Day Pep Rally. There were be over 1500 people on the fields in front of our school. Our school community gathered together to celebrate and embrace Unity."--Elizabeth Westley, Severna Park Middle School
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
Saying N-O to Bullying!
"Our GBHS English Department says N-O to bullying!"--Caitlin Peterson, Glen Burnie High School
Wearing Our SPHS Unity Pride
"Our principal, Mr. Bathras, purchased orange Unity tees for the entire faculty. They were printed by teacher Mr. Slack and students!"--Marianne Fitzgerald, SPHS
“This is my second home.”
"The Fort Smallwood Elementary School staff and community are the best around."--Pam Osborn, Fort Smallwood Elementary
Learning & giving with an incredible team
"Even though I have gotten new positions over the years, learning, teaching, and giving every single day has been remarkably rewarding and fulfilling."--Gaston Gamez, Office of School & Family Partnerships
Our Students’ Masterpiece to Share a Positive Message
"Last year, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students helped create a mural to share the positive message of our school's motto: Together We Can Make a Difference."--Emily Pfeifer, Teacher
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
A Fun Back-to-School Night!
"My favorite part of this school year has been our Back to School Night!!"--Atalante Shay, Parent, Jessup Elementary
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
Building a Community Cafe
Are you new to the Café at Maryland Hall? Learn how this one-of-a-kind student-run business is a win-win-win for AACPS, Maryland Hall, and the community.
Overcoming My Fear of Math with Mr. Fornaro’s Encouragement
"Mr. Fornaro at Glen Burnie High School was one of the educators who taught me to believe in myself, to never turn away from a challenge."--Bri Barone, Glen Burnie High School Alum
