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.
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
Thank You for Making Our School Beautiful!
"Thank you to SJR Lawn Care, The Reynolds family, and Mrs. Kathy Jovan for making our front entrance, courtyard and outdoor classroom beautiful."--Carrie Deaver, Teacher, Pasadena Elementary School
My Last First Day of School
"During my years of high school, I built good relationships with staff members especially Mr. Lucas Jamerson, Mrs. Hannah Reiger, and Mr. Jens Johanson."--Evan, Grade 12
“Thanks Mrs. Windsor for looking out for my dude.”
"Mrs. Windsor is a big part of the reason that the first day of school went so well for Will."--LaVonne Doucette, Relative, Glendale Elementary School & Marley Middle School
3rd Grade, Here I Come!
"My daughter is going to Nantucket Elementary and she loved her first days of school so far!"--Aneela Ahmad, Parent
Want to improve your office? Host a student intern!
"High school kids are funny and bright and creative and savvy and as interns, we get to know them and their stories. Having them in our office reminds us why our work matters–and what we do is better because of it."--Lauren Grey-Hawkins, AACPS Employee & Internship Supervisor
You Can Always Count on Mrs. Addison
"Mrs. Addison always motivates and pushes her students to the fullest and to their highest potential."--Jeremiah Thomas, Alum
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
Learning life-long skills at the Café @ Maryland Hall
"At CAT-South and at the Café, you have students from lots of areas of the county coming together, which gives you a lot of different perspectives and a lot of different backgrounds." Isabella Nguyen, CAT-South Alumn
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
Embracing the Real World
"My teaching philosophy views every learner as both a psychological and social construct; because neglecting or subordinating one to the other can result to behaviors that can be detrimental to the teaching and learning environment." --Martin Noga, Annapolis High School
Redefining the Culinary Classroom
"We reflect and we reflect and we reflect and then we reflect again. Then we modify, modify, modify."--Pam Klink, CAT-South Culinary Teacher
Real World Experience in a Contained Environment
"In the Café, we can allow students to work through mistakes in a way they wouldn’t get in a regular professional environment. As a result, these students are really taking ownership of the product and of the business." --Jody Elliott, Manager, Cafe @ Maryland Hall
Being an Educator is an Honor
"I believe that it is equally important to help my students realize that they can be world changers; to teach the whole child." --Bonita Bradway, Tyler Heights Elementary
Realizing What You Are Capable of
"I believe that ALL students will be successful in my classroom. I want my students to know that my classroom is their community - a place where students feel safe to take academic risks, to accept that mistakes are an important part of learning and life, and to realize that they are capable of great successes." --Michelle Soumah, Arundel Middle School
The Art of Discovery
"I believe everyone is always an artist and I teach to provide every child the opportunity to explore a multitude of media in order to discover what type of artist they want to be."--Amy Degenhard, Jones Elementary School
Repeat, Re-visit, Reteach and Make it Relevant!
"I believe that my classroom is inviting, safe, and nurturing. Children feel secure and valued. Effective instruction that is joyful and stimulating occurs on a daily basis."--Eileen Foley, Corkran Middle School
Appreciating the Good in All Students
"My philosophy of teaching grows from my own love of learning and the value I place on the relationships formed within the learning community."-- Lyndsay Geddings, Folger McKinsey Elementary School
The Powerful Role of the Teacher
"I believe my primary role is looking at the end goal, assessing current understanding, and taking into account special abilities, interests, and challenges of the students." --Samantha Klenkel Wilkinson, Cape St. Claire Elementary School
Guiding Reluctant Wanderers
"I believe that all students can be and should be pushed, pushed to try their hardest, pushed to be deeper thinkers, pushed to take pride in what they produce." --Kristina Ladika, Arundel High School
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
Collecting Beautiful Moments
"A successful classroom community exists when a teacher takes time to build authentic relationships. In turn, students feel safe and are comfortable taking risks." --Sarah Serena, Waugh Chapel Elementary
Intricate Parts of Our Education Adventure
"My belief is that all students can learn if provided with tools that enhance the skills that we are trying to build and expand the foundation that they have already established. Utilizing a variety of methods of instruction as well as different unique tools such as Makerspace and presentation materials allows me as a teacher to reach more learners and help them grow."--Melissa Connelly
Heroes Take Risks
"I believe our children should learn to lead a life that will leave a positive legacy. Teachers have an AMAZING influence on students and should use that power wisely." --Erin Perkins, Quarterfield Elementary 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
It’s Not About the Standards–Its About the People
"I believe that all students need to feel cared for before learning can take place. Understanding where students are emotionally and intellectually allows me to meet them on a level playing field."--Tully Fenner, Northeast High School
Establishing Trusting Relationships
"My philosophy of teaching is very simple. EVERY student is capable of learning."--Danyelle Edwards, Seven Oaks Elementary School
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
