As a 1979 graduate of Huron High School, Liz Margolis is a proud River Rat. She attended Thurston Elementary and Clague Middle School the first year it opened.
A graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in communications, Margolis started at AAPS in 2003 as the Director of Communications and Marketing. That job took on a lot of roles, including media relations, elections and FOIA responses.
Over time she also became knowledgeable about school safety and after a two-year stint at NSF handling international public relations, she returned to AAPS to manage school safety for the district.
A few years later Margolis took on elections again as well as Transportation and Food Service. She also assists in the bond program when needed.
Liz Margolis, what unique perspective do you bring to your role as the district’s Executive Director of Student & School Safety, having been both a student and educator in the same district?
While I am not an educator, I do like to think I help educate staff and families on school safety. I look at school safety as not hardening a school district but implementing protocols and practices that we know will provide quick and thoughtful responses to an emergency situation Both my parents were educator; my dad was a “House Leader” at Clague for 20 years when it first opened and my mom was an elementary teacher in AAPS. Both have provided me with their prospectives from an educational point of view. Additionally, I am very familiar with our schools as well as our community and have developed many relationships over the years that are helpful in this position.
What aspects of your experience as a student in AAPS influenced your decision to work in this district?
I knew I wasn’t cut out for teaching watching my parents when I was growing up. But I was so honored to be hired in the communication role and believe I have brought my own experiences in this district to serve our community. Not only am I a graduate of AAPS but so is my husband and our three children.
Were there any challenges you faced as a student that you now work to address in your role?
Bullying, especially in middle school. It was because my dad was one of the Clague administrators so I always have a special affinity to students of staff in this district because I lived it. While it was mostly an advantage, there were times when it wasn’t! I want students to feel safe and have the connections with at least one staff member who can be their trusted adult.
Can you name a memorable teacher from your time as a student who influenced your career path?
I didn’t participate in the school newspaper or yearbook so my selected degree really came out of a desire to work in media. But my most favorite class at Huron was Humanities. It was also the hardest but it prepared me for college better than any other class. I was able to test out of some freshman classes because of it. I also had the benefit of the teachers at Clague Middle School when it first opened: Stan Bidlack, for one. But also seeing the dedication of these teachers at a school that they wanted to be at was powerful: Stu White, Rusty Schumacher, Bob Galardi. Having the advantage of seeing them out of the school growing up was huge and many are still family friends to this day.
Can you recall a pivotal moment during your time as a student that reinforced your connection to AAPS?
I think it was more my parent’s lives as educators that reinforced my connection to AAPS and that I was given the opportunity to bring my skills to the district in a different way. AAPS has provided me with a deep professional satisfaction and I hope when I retire, I have contributed to this district in a lasting way.
Finish this sentence: Middle school was:
Fun. Maybe too fun, awkward and seriously great! I was in a group that started at Clague as the first 6th grade class and went through 9th grade when the district returned to a Junior High model. That was tough! But I still have friends from Clague Middle School!
Did you take part in any high school pranks you can talk about?
No. Pranks weren’t as big then but I did have some outside curricular’s that I took part in! Remember, this was Ann Arbor late 70’s early 80’s!
How do the social dynamics and peer relationships among students today compare to your experiences?
I cannot image going to school with the pressures of social media. It was hard enough each morning deciding what to wear that made me late many days to first hour. The pressure students now face is at such a deeper level. I mourn for their inability to just be a kid without these pressures. I saw it with my own kids.
Do you have any advice for high school students looking ahead to graduation and beyond?
Remember, if you don’t get into your first choice for college, it isn’t the end of the world.
There are so many options out there that I had no idea about. And you can always transfer!
What was your favorite school tradition or event when you were a student, and does it still exist today?
The smoking room at Huron! No, I didn’t smoke and I actually hated the smell into the cafeteria but when we talk about that people are shocked! I loved Friday night football and the dances! No more smoking room, but thank goodness but football and dances still exist!
Favorite cafeteria food:
I never ate cafeteria food. I always brought a lunch or didn’t eat. At Thurston I walked home for lunch each day.
What was your favorite grade and why?
I think ninth grade. While it was at Clague we were the oldest and had more freedom. They didn’t mix us with the seventh an eighth graders so we had our own hallway. I loved theater and band, which I felt too intimated to continue in high school.
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