“Exceptional” profiles

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[ February 10, 2026 ] District-wide NAAPID celebrations emphasized the importance of family involvement in student success Features
[ February 6, 2026 ] Young chefs enjoy new Rec & Ed cooking class just in time for the Super Bowl Features
[ February 2, 2026 ] During National School Counseling Week, AAPS honors School Counselors as the unsung orchestrators of student success Features
[ February 2, 2026 ] Freda Shatara, Abbot Elementary first grade teacher "Exceptional" profiles
[ January 29, 2026 ] Pioneer sophomore Natasza Dudek—the fastest female high school runner in the country—adds yet another honor to an incredible record Features

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 […]

Jeff DeMoss, Huron High School social studies teacher

November 24, 2025 AAPS News Editor

Jeff DeMoss is a Huron High School social studies teacher who has spent 16 years inspiring students through innovative approaches to history and humanities education. A Michigan native, he grew up in St. Clair Shores […]

Sheril Bulley-Simpson, A2 Open 3rd/4th grade teacher

November 20, 2025 AAPS News Editor

Sheril Bulley-Simpson, an A2 Open 3rd/4th-grade teacher, was born and raised in Detroit and is a proud graduate of Cass Technical High School. Teaching is her passion. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan […]

Alicia Rey-Murrell, Haisley Elementary second grade teacher

November 10, 2025 AAPS News Editor

Alicia Rey-Murrell was born in Ann Arbor to Cuban exiles and grew up surrounded by a large, loving family. She says her everyday life was enriched by the presence of her grandparents, aunts, and parents, […]

Emily Wark, Abbot Elementary Building Literacy Coach

November 3, 2025 AAPS News Editor

Emily Wark is a proud Canadian-American who spent her early childhood in Toronto, Ontario, before moving to the Philadelphia area during elementary school. Inspired by her own teachers as a student, she went on to […]