“Exceptional” profiles

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[ March 3, 2026 ] Donna Kolokithas, Allen Elementary Resource Room Teacher "Exceptional" profiles
[ March 2, 2026 ] Pioneer students’ ceramic work selected for national K–12 exhibition in Detroit High School News
[ March 2, 2026 ] Perseverance and Resistance: A Celebration of Us – Skyline’s Black History Month Show High School News
[ March 2, 2026 ] Skyline Blues advances to ICHSA semi-finals after quarterfinal win Features
[ February 26, 2026 ] Voices and vision: Pioneer High School celebrates Black History Month with talent-filled assembly Features

Donna Kolokithas, Allen Elementary Resource Room Teacher

March 3, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Donna Kolokithas grew up in Allen Park, where she developed a strong connection to education and community. She attended the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a focus in […]

Nancy Shafer Boudreau, Pioneer High School women’s cross country/varsity track coach

February 23, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Nancy Shafer Boudreau was raised in North Canton, Ohio, and graduated from North Canton Hoover High School in 1969. She graduated from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Arts degree […]

Kim Jaster, Slauson Middle School PLTW teacher and Athletic Director

February 16, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Slauson Middle School PLTW teacher and Athletic Director Kim Jaster was raised in Trenton, Michigan, and began her professional career immediately after high school with Electronic Data Systems/General Motors. After 13 years in the business […]

Megan Smulders, Allen Elementary School Social Worker

February 11, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Allen Elementary School Social Worker Megan Smulders grew up in Columbus, Ohio, attended Columbus School for Girls, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Ohio University before completing her Master of Social Work […]

Freda Shatara, Abbot Elementary first grade teacher

February 2, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Freda Shatara grew up in a home in Livonia where learning was always encouraged and celebrated. Reading played a central role in her childhood—her mother read to her daily, and before long, she was eagerly […]

Sarah George, Eberwhite Elementary art teacher

January 26, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Eberwhite Elementary art teacher Sarah George grew up in Brighton and now lives in Howell. After graduating from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Visual Arts Education and a minor in Spanish Education, she […]

Jonathan Smigell, Huron High School art teacher

January 20, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Photos by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Jonathan Smigell grew up in Plymouth, Michigan. After graduating from Canton High School, he attended Wayne State University, where he earned a BFA in Painting and Photography. He later […]

Melissa Stone, Exceptional Secretary to the Principal, Dicken Elementary

January 5, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Melissa Stone was born on an Air Force base on Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal, but does not remember her life there, as she grew up in Marietta, Georgia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Information […]

Kalli Nowitzke, A2 STEAM Resource Room Teacher

December 17, 2025 AAPS News Editor

Kalli Nowitzke was born in Ann Arbor and grew up and attended school in Dexter, where she still lives. She earned her teaching degree in Special Education (Intellectual Disabilities) from Eastern Michigan University and a […]

Alyson Gold, Lakewood Elementary social worker

December 2, 2025 AAPS News Editor

Lakewood Elementary school social worker Alyson Gold was born and raised in Dearborn Heights. She earned both her undergraduate degree and Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Before joining AAPS, Gold worked […]