Profile and photos by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Kristin Kubacki grew up in Grand Rapids, and moved to Ann Arbor when she became a student at the University of Michigan. She has a bachelor’s …
AAPS Updates
- Volunteers from the community help AAPS students participate in the Hour of Code
- Ann Arbor Open teacher Chad Downs wins $25,000 national Milken Educator Award
- Haisley teachers’ supportive friendship models the importance of relationships for their students
- Profile: Before heading to Holy Cross, Pioneer’s Lowder has a few things to cross off his to-do list
- Lawton students applaud longtime volunteer on her 90th birthday
“Exceptional” profiles
Photos and profile by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Jenny Szalay was born and raised in Ann Arbor and attended Allen, Tappan, and Huron High. She feels very fortunate to teach in the community …
By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Steve Rodriguez has been a well respected and popular PE teacher and coach at Pioneer High School since 1977. He grew up in Allen Park and chose to attend Detroit …
By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Abby Ruehlmann is completing her first year of teaching in the district, but has already made a big impact on the ELA team and students at Clague Middle School. Principal …
Profile and photos by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Mark B. Valchine II was born and raised in Allen Park, and as one of four boys, he says he learned to fend for himself …
Photos and video by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Amy Lynn Sierzega was born and raised in Williamston. She is an alumna of Michigan State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in music education …
By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Eidtor Molly Sykes Crankshaw was born and raised in Ionia, the daughter of the late Dr. Robert and Barbara Sykes. She attended Eastern Michigan University, where she earned her bachelor’s …
By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Muneer Khalid was born and raised in the city of Detroit. After graduating from Oakland International Academy, he earned his bachelor’s degree in English and psychology at the University …
By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Hannah Gottlieb was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula, in and around the Marquette area. Throughout middle and high school, she loved science and thought she would …
Profile and photos by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Kristi Whitaker Krile was a military brat. Her father was in the Air Force, so she and her younger sister lived all over the world, including …
By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Nicole Smitka grew up in Ann Arbor and considers herself lucky to have attended Lawton Elementary, Slauson Middle School, and Pioneer High School. With a passion for math and science, …
By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Scott Thobe (pronounced “Toe-bee”) and two older sisters grew up in the small Ohio farming community of Ft. Recovery. Thobe says that because there wasn’t a lot to do …
Profile and photos by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Lisa Ziegler grew up in Hastings and attended Hastings Area Schools, as did her two younger brothers, Mike and Jimmy. Her father, Dave Storms (who now …
Profile and photos by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Phyllis Newman was born and raised in Ann Arbor, the daughter of the late Dr. Rev. A.J. Lightfoot Jr. and Mary C. Kidd-Lightfoot. She attended Haisley, Forsythe, …
By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Amanda Houston was born in Houston, Texas, and spent her childhood in North Brunswick, New Jersey. At the age of 13, her family—including her parents, Michigan natives Donald and …