“Exceptional” profiles

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[ March 5, 2026 ] Full Circle: From Peer Connections students to special education teachers High School News
[ 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

Anna Gonzalez, Scarlett Middle School Spanish teacher

March 14, 2022 AAPS News Editor

Anna Gonzalez grew up outside of Chicago in a town called Inverness with her parents and three older sisters. Her parents met in medical school in the Philippines, and after they married and had their […]

Shevaughn Watson, Carpenter Elementary third grade teacher

March 8, 2022 AAPS News Editor

Shevaughn Watson was born and raised in Grand Rapids. The youngest of four children whose mother often emphasized the importance of education and community involvement, she attended elementary, middle, and high school within the Grand […]

Amanda Wood, Logan Elementary Young 5-2nd grade, CI classroom teacher

February 25, 2022 AAPS News Editor

Amanda Wood is a Young 5’s through second grade teacher at Logan Elementary. This is her ninth year teaching and eighth year at Logan. Wood grew up in Livonia with her parents Dave and Darlene […]

Kris Rendall, Slauson Middle School Kitchen Manager

February 17, 2022 AAPS News Editor

When asked to recommend an exceptional food service staffer for this feature, Director of Food Service Victoria Davis quickly suggested Slauson Middle School Kitchen Manager Kris Rendall, who has worked for AAPS for 36 years. […]

Sean Kiebler, King Elementary second grade teacher

February 10, 2022 AAPS News Editor

King Elementary Principal Koren Clinkscale says that in Sean Kiebler’s short time at the school, he has created a sense of community and belonging within his classroom. “At any time, you can enter his classroom and […]

JD Benison, Burns Park third grade teacher

January 27, 2022 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor JD Benison is from Grand Rapids, where he attended sixth grade at Zoo School on the campus of John Ball Zoo, a program through Grand Rapids Public Schools. While […]

Wendy Blackman, Westerman Preschool & Family Center teacher

January 19, 2022 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Wendy Blackman grew up in Lincoln Park, the only daughter of Rodney and Nancy McKay. Her father worked for American Airlines in the heavy freight area before passing away […]

Laura Hannaford, Office Professional, Clague Middle School

December 21, 2021 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Clague Middle School’s main office is the weekday domain of Laura Hannaford, who is described by Principal Jason Skiba as “a go-to on everything.” “If there is something that happens […]

Silvia Hurtado, Child Care Supervisor, Abbot Elementary

November 29, 2021 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Silvia Hurtado was born and raised in Mexico where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in law. She began her career as a teacher as a lecturer in Spanish at […]

Danielle Capitan, Tappan Middle School German teacher

November 16, 2021 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Danielle Capitan and her older brother grew up in Fraser about an hour from Ann Arbor. She attended the University of Michigan, where she graduated in 2014 with a secondary […]