“Exceptional” profiles

News Ticker

[ 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

Lisa Pham, Bach Elementary librarian

May 12, 2021 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Lisa Pham (rhymes with “mom”) grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has been in the education field for more than two decades. In 1999, she graduated with a bachelor’s […]

Lori Moizio, Pattengill third grade teacher

May 4, 2021 AAPS News Editor

Lori Moizio and her two siblings grew up in Oak Park, Michigan in a family of educators. Her mother, father, step-mother and sister-in-law were all teachers and her dad taught at the high school she […]

Gabby Taylor, Bach first grade teacher

April 13, 2021 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Gabby Taylor is a first grade teacher at Bach Elementary who was raised in a family of helpers who all work with schools, mental health, non-profits, or children with […]

Sarah Conner, Allen Elementary art teacher

February 17, 2021 AAPS News Editor

“Teachers and school systems have become the center of a much larger societal conversation and debate. I am acutely aware of the spectrum of learning experiences that families in our district are currently facing. Early […]

Dani Davis, Skyline High School Intensified Algebra teacher

January 5, 2021 AAPS News Editor

Dani Davis grew up in Romeo, Michigan, with her parents, Sheila and Chris, and her two siblings, Justin and Ashley. When she was young, Davis was very active and participated in a variety of sports. […]

Erica Peplinski-Burge, Spanish teacher, Angell, Bach, Burns Park, Lakewood, and Pattengill 4th & 5th graders

October 28, 2020 AAPS News Editor

Erica Peplinski-Burge, the 4th and 5th grade Spanish teacher at five AAPS elementary schools, has been named the Michigan World Language Teacher of the Year by the MIWLA Executive Board. The Michigan World Language Association is […]

Jennifer Colby, Huron High School librarian

October 13, 2020 AAPS News Editor

Huron’s Jennifer Colby is named Michigan Association for Media in Education’s District Library Director of the Year By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Huron High School librarian Jennifer Colby has been the right leader at […]

Ted Emch, Pioneer High School computer science teacher

August 26, 2020 AAPS News Editor

Pioneer computer science teacher wins Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Pioneer High School math teacher Theodore Emch has received a Presidential Award for Excellence in […]

Lindsy Avenall, Pittsfield Elementary art teacher

March 4, 2020 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Lindsy Avenall grew up in Lapeer just east of Flint. She attended Lapeer Community Schools throughout her primary and secondary education. Avenall then attended Mott Community College and The […]

Jonathan Cook, Huron High School business, technology, and cybersecurity teacher

February 25, 2020 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Raised in Dexter, Jonathan Cook is one of five children of Rodger and Linda Cook, a machinist and elementary school teacher, respectively. Cook graduated with a bachelor’s in business […]