“Exceptional” profiles

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[ June 24, 2026 ] AAPS Summer Music Program brings young musicians together Features
[ June 23, 2026 ] AAPS Board of Education tours new Mitchell Elementary construction Board of Education
[ June 16, 2026 ] ‘Grandma Rubye’ Ogburn Named 2026 Volunteer of the Year Elementary News
[ June 15, 2026 ] Student-led campaign aims to cut idling, help improve air quality on and around school campuses High School News
[ June 12, 2026 ] AAPS thanks 2026 retirees at red carpet reception Latest news

Erin Wright, Eberwhite fifth grade teacher

February 6, 2019 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Erin Wright was born in Detroit and grew up mostly in Grand Rapids. The daughter of a special education teacher, Wright knew how demanding and rewarding teaching is as a […]

Jennifer Kunec, Pioneer High School social studies teacher

February 1, 2019 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Jen Kunec was born and raised in Ann Arbor. Her father, Jerome Jelinek, was a concert cellist and a Professor of Music at The University of Michigan. Her mother, […]

Heather Gray, Wines Elementary special education teacher

January 25, 2019 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Heather Gray grew up with a brother and sister in the small town of Jesup, Iowa. Her parents were both elementary school teachers and she was a teacher’s […]

Monica Brennan, Angell Elementary second grade teacher

January 17, 2019 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Monica Brennan has been teaching at Angell Elementary for five years. She grew up in Royal Oak, the daughter of a nurse (mother) and a Chrysler assembly worker, both […]

Maneesha Mankad, Community High School math teacher

January 9, 2019 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Maneesha Mankad has taught Algebra II, Calculus and Finance/Stats and been a forum leader at Community High School for the past five years. She grew up in […]

Andy Nalepa, psychologist at Skyline High School

December 27, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Andy Nalepa was born and raised in Ann Arbor. He attended Abbot, Forsythe, and Pioneer, where he played soccer, baseball, and hockey. After earning a bachelor’s degree […]

Shanna Middleton, Wines Elementary Young Fives teacher

December 19, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Shanna Middleton grew up in Ann Arbor, and attended King Elementary from kindergarten to third grade. When her family—including parents and two younger brothers—moved across town, she attended […]

Bianka VonKulajta, Westerman Preschool & Family Center social worker

November 29, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Bianka VonKulajta works with families at the Westerman Preschool and Family Center. As a member of the assessment team, she evaluates children ages newborn through 5 for special […]

Natasha Stewart, Logan Elementary third grade teacher

November 15, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Natasha Stewart teaches third grade at Logan Elementary School. This is her twelfth year of teaching, six of which have been with Ann Arbor Public […]

Anna Courage, Ann Arbor Open teacher consultant/Resource Room teacher

November 8, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Anna Courage is a Resource Room/teacher consultant at the Ann Arbor Open School. This is her tenth year at Ann Arbor Open and her eleventh year teaching in […]