“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

Abby Ruehlmann, Clague Middle School English Language Arts teacher

May 16, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Abby Ruehlmann is completing her first year of teaching in the district, but has already made a big impact on the ELA team and students at Clague Middle School. Principal […]

Mark B. Valchine II, Career & Technical Education Homebuilding teacher

May 9, 2018 AAPS News Editor

Profile and photos by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Mark B. Valchine II was born and raised in Allen Park, and as one of four boys, he says he learned to fend for himself […]

Amy Sierzega, Lakewood Elementary vocal & band teacher

May 3, 2018 AAPS News Editor

Photos and video by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Amy Lynn Sierzega was born and raised in Williamston. She is an alumna of Michigan State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in music education […]

Molly Crankshaw, Burns Park Elementary third grade teacher

April 27, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Eidtor Molly Sykes Crankshaw was born and raised in Ionia, the daughter of the late Dr. Robert and Barbara Sykes. She attended Eastern Michigan University, where she earned her bachelor’s […]

Muneer Khalid, Scarlett Middle School Strategies for Success teacher

April 20, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Muneer Khalid was born and raised in the city of Detroit. After graduating from Oakland International Academy, he earned his bachelor’s degree in English and psychology at the University […]

Hannah Gottlieb, Clague Middle School math teacher

April 12, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Hannah Gottlieb was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula, in and around the Marquette area. Throughout middle and high school, she loved science and thought she would […]

Kristi Krile, Logan Elementary first grade teacher

April 4, 2018 AAPS News Editor

Profile and photos by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Kristi Whitaker Krile was a military brat. Her father was in the Air Force, so she and her younger sister lived all over the world, including […]

Nicole Smitka, Carpenter Elementary 5th grade teacher

March 13, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Nicole Smitka grew up in Ann Arbor and considers herself lucky to have attended Lawton Elementary, Slauson Middle School, and Pioneer High School. With a passion for math and science, […]

Scott Thobe, Tappan Middle School social studies teacher

March 6, 2018 AAPS News Editor

By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Scott Thobe (pronounced “Toe-bee”) and two older sisters grew up in the small Ohio farming community of Ft. Recovery. Thobe says that because there wasn’t a lot to do […]

Lisa Ziegler, Burns Park Project Lead the Way teacher

February 26, 2018 AAPS News Editor

Profile and photos by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor Lisa Ziegler grew up in Hastings and attended Hastings Area Schools, as did her two younger brothers, Mike and Jimmy. Her father, Dave Storms (who now […]