Staff in the Spotlight

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[ June 12, 2026 ] AAPS thanks 2026 retirees at red carpet reception Latest news
[ June 10, 2026 ] Students cheer on ceremonial beam raising at new Thruston Elementary News
[ June 9, 2026 ] Video: Lawton Elementary claps out retirees and fifth graders on last day of school Elementary News
[ June 9, 2026 ] Jessica Rodriguez, Wines Elementary third grade teacher "Exceptional" profiles
[ June 8, 2026 ] Huron Class of 2026 bids farewell in a ceremony marked by music, memories and milestones Latest news

Bethany Bell, Carpenter Elementary fourth grade teacher

September 12, 2022 AAPS News Editor

Bethany Bell grew up in small towns in both Kansas & Iowa. Her father was a minister and her mother was a homemaker, and she has two younger brothers. Bell earned her elementary education degree […]

Longtime Pioneer golf coach Steve Rodriguez to be inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame

August 11, 2022 AAPS News Editor

For 41 years until his retirement in 2018, Rodriguez was a popular golf coach, PE teacher, and mentor By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor To the surprise of no one connected to Pioneer sports for […]

Thurston Elementary music teacher named a quarterfinalist for the 2022 GRAMMY Award for music educators

June 17, 2021 AAPS News Editor

Yael Rothfeld has taught at Thurston for 18 years; admires families’ and the district’s support of music and the arts Thurston music teacher Yael Rothfeld has been named as a quarterfinalist for the 2022 GRAMMY […]

Pioneer Director of Orchestras Jonathan Glawe named Michigan String Teacher of the Year

March 9, 2021 AAPS News Editor

Award is just the latest in a long line of accolades for teacher who helps keep music instruction happening from home By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor The Michigan String Teacher of the Year Award […]

AAPS to honor 50 retirees during virtual meeting June 25

June 24, 2020 AAPS News Editor

Community invited to join virtual retirement celebration By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor After 32.5 years teaching at Burns Park Elementary, Molly Crankshaw had envisioned the way she would draw her career to an end […]

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 […]

AAPS teachers model lifelong learning during an afternoon of professional development

September 26, 2019 AAPS News Editor

AAPS teachers spent the afternoon of Sept. 25 discussing new techniques, programs, and activities all while modeling lifelong learning for their students. Photos by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor

Ann Arbor Open teacher Chad Downs wins $25,000 national Milken Educator Award

December 12, 2018 AAPS News Editor

Story, photos and video by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor It was billed as a Wednesday morning all-school assembly for the Ann Arbor Open community to meet and greet Michigan’s Interim Superintendent Sheila Alles. That’s […]

Community High School’s beloved matriarch is still going strong—and loving it—after 33 years

December 4, 2018 AAPS News Editor

Story, photos and video by Jo Mathis/AAPS District News Editor The matriarch of Community High School is having a good day. Her students were prepared for class and participated in a lively discussion. She […]

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 […]