“Exceptional” profiles

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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 […]

Phoenix Purman, Pittsfield Elementary first grade teacher

October 15, 2025 AAPS News Editor

Phoenix Purman grew up in Genesee County and graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She and her husband, Jake, live in Whitmore Lake. In her free time, […]

Suzanne Vu, Logan Elementary English Learner (EL) teacher

October 7, 2025 AAPS News Editor

Suzanne Vu was born in Orange County, California, and grew up in San Diego. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara as an undergrad, spent a gap year traveling, and then attended graduate school […]