“Exceptional” profiles – AAPS District News

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[ October 15, 2026 ] Huron High School’s Rhythm Rats Marching Band wins two titles in debut competition Features
[ October 15, 2026 ] Bioblitz provides multi-generational search of biodiversity at Freeman Environmental Education Center Community Gives Back
[ October 15, 2026 ] A minute in the room: Sara Gibson’s orchestra class at Slauson Middle School Latest news
[ October 14, 2026 ] Kristen Tabert, Scarlett Middle School science teacher "Exceptional" profiles
[ October 13, 2026 ] A minute in the room: Skyline’s new Robotics Engineering class A minute in the room

Kristen Tabert, Scarlett Middle School science teacher

October 14, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Scarlett Middle School science teacher Kristen Tabert was born in Southfield and raised in Brighton. She spent much of her childhood swimming and hiking at Kensington Metropark. Tabert earned a bachelor’s degree in education and […]

Scott Arrowsmith, Mitchell Elementary 4th grade teacher

October 6, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Mitchell Elementary fourth grade teacher Scott Arrowsmith was born and raised in California. He completed his undergraduate degree and teaching program at California State University, Northridge. He has spent his entire professional life working with […]

Marietta “Nurse Rita” Brooks-Hayward, Carpenter Elementary School Nurse

September 30, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Marietta “Nurse Rita” Brooks-Hayward was born and raised in Detroit. She is one of four children on her mother’s side of the family and one of nine on her father’s. Brooks-Hayward began her nursing career […]

Beth Homan, Pattengill fifth grade teacher

September 22, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Pattengill Elementary fifth grade teacher Elizabeth Homan is in her seventh year of teaching. She grew up in the small town of Napoleon, Ohio, where she was encouraged from an early age to take on […]

Mike Porter, Skyline High School Community Assistant

September 16, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Skyline High School Community Assistant Mike Porter grew up in Ann Arbor and attended Ann Arbor Public Schools, beginning at Northside Elementary and continuing through Thurston Elementary, Clague Middle School, and Huron High School. During […]

Sara Gibson, Slauson Middle School Director of Orchestras

September 11, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Sara Gibson, M.A. Ed., is Director of Orchestras at Slauson Middle School. She brings extensive experience in music education and leadership, along with an active performing career as a cellist. Before joining Ann Arbor Public […]

Jessica Rodriguez, Wines Elementary third grade teacher

June 9, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Jessica Rodriguez is a lifelong Ann Arbor resident and a “townie” from the Old West Side. Rodriguez attended Bach Elementary, then Mack (now Ann Arbor Open), Slauson Middle School, and Pioneer High School, where she […]

Kristin Mahler, School Nurse at Logan, Pathways, and Wines

June 3, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Kristin Mahler spent her childhood in Panama before attending college in Boston, where she worked for four years. She later moved to Ann Arbor to complete a Master of Public Health at the University of […]

Lemisse Abdelbaqui, Carpenter Elementary 2nd grade teacher

May 27, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Lemisse Abdelbaqui grew up in Canton with her parents and three brothers. She attended Eastern Michigan University, where she studied Elementary Education and graduated in 2023. This is her second year teaching at Carpenter. Principal […]

Julianne Cooper, Bryant Elementary first grade teacher

May 20, 2026 AAPS News Editor

Bryant second grade teacher Julianne Cooper was born and raised in the small downriver community of River Rouge. She has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 17 years, and they live in Pinckney with […]