“Exceptional” profiles

News Ticker

[ 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

Zoe Pehrson, Pittsfield Elementary second grade teacher

September 26, 2018 AAPS News Editor

Profile and photos by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Zoe Pehrson grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. She loved school as a child and particularly loved third grade. Her parents both […]

Robert Cupit, Project Lead the Way teacher, Huron High School

September 20, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Huron High School Project Lead the Way teacher Rob Cupit was born in 1987 and grew up in Woodhaven. His father, Bob, is an industrial manufacturer at 3M; his […]

Jill Wesley, Lawton Elementary fifth grade teacher

September 13, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Jill Wesley was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She moved to Ann Arbor with her husband, Donald, in 1990. Drawn toward teaching from an early age, Wesley enrolled […]

Valeska Bass, Clifford E. Bryant first grade teacher

September 6, 2018 AAPS News Editor

Profile, photos and video by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Valeska Bass has been a first grade teacher at Clifford E. Bryant Elementary for six years. Because her father was in the U.S. Army, she […]

Deanna Tippett, Exceptional Office Professional, Skyline High School

August 30, 2018 AAPS News Editor

Story, photos, and video by Jo Mathis, AAPS District News Editor Office professional Deanna Tippett says her co-workers in the Small Learning Community (SLC) at Skyline High School are her second family. And there’s […]

Connie Myers, A2 STEAM special education teacher

June 21, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor A2 STEAM special education teacher Connie Myers grew up in Pinckney. She moved to Chelsea when she was in the eighth grade and graduated from Chelsea High School. Next […]

Denise Eaddy-Richardson and Wendy Reinhardt, Huron High School guidance counselors

June 14, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News As Huron High School says goodbye to two beloved guidance counselors, many will miss the collective wisdom of the retiring Wendy Reinhardt and Denise Eaddy-Richardson. In addition, future Huron […]

Kristin Kubacki, Huron High School art teacher

June 8, 2018 AAPS News Editor

Profile and photos by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Kristin Kubacki grew up in Grand Rapids, and moved to Ann Arbor when she became a student at the University of Michigan. She has a bachelor’s […]

Jenny Szalay, Lawton kindergarten teacher

May 31, 2018 AAPS News Editor

Photos and profile by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Jenny Szalay was born and raised in Ann Arbor and attended Allen, Tappan, and Huron High. She feels very fortunate to teach in the community […]

Steve Rodriguez, Pioneer High School PE teacher & coach

May 24, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Steve Rodriguez has been a well respected and popular PE teacher and coach at Pioneer High School since 1977. He grew up in Allen Park and chose to attend Detroit […]