Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) proudly welcomes Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) as its newest Our Story™ partner district. AACPS, the fourth-largest district in Maryland, serves more than 85,000 students across more than 130 campuses and has now become part of a growing network of districts working to amplify the voices of students, staff, and school communities through collective authorship.
Our Story™ was created by Saginaw ISD Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Collier and launched in its current form in January 2023. Since then, the initiative has helped staff and students capture more than 5,000 powerful moments of learning, connection, and leadership. Through training and empowerment, Our Story™ gives every team member a platform to contribute their voice and perspective.
By design, Our Story™ helps districts expand their communication model beyond a single spokesperson or small team. In many districts, the task of representing the organization falls to a superintendent or communications director alone, an impossible job in today’s fast-moving, multi-platform environment. Our Story™ flips that model by building capacity at every level, supporting educators, staff, and students alike to capture the moments that make their schools extraordinary.
“This partnership with Anne Arundel is an exciting milestone in the growth of Our Story™,” said Dr. Jeffrey Collier, Superintendent of Saginaw ISD. “As education faces increasing challenges and public perception can often be shaped by external forces, this initiative helps put the spotlight back where it belongs, on the inspiring everyday moments happening within our schools. We are honored to partner with a visionary leader like Dr. Bedell and a district that values giving voice to its entire community.”
Under the agreement, AACPS will implement Our Story™, grounded in three core tenets:
Equitable Access: All staff will be invited and empowered to participate in capturing moments of impact.
Voluntary Participation: Contributions are encouraged but never mandated.
Training and Moderation: A comprehensive support structure ensures a safe and respectful platform for sharing.
“As we seek to create a place where everyone can Belong, Grow, and Succeed, we are committed to celebrating the voices of our staff, students, and community members,” said Dr. Mark Bedell, Superintendent of AACPS and recent recipient of the National School Public Relations Association’s 2025 Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award. “Partnering with Saginaw ISD on Our Story™ gives us a powerful new avenue to amplify these authentic voices and continue building a more connected, supportive educational community.”
As Our Story™ continues to grow, Saginaw ISD remains dedicated to helping districts across the country strengthen their organizational culture through the power of storytelling and collective authorship. In addition to AACPS, the district currently partners with Clare-Gladwin RESD and the Great Lakes Bay Early College, while providing guidance and licensing opportunities nationwide.
ABOUT SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) is an educational service agency that provides effective and innovative leadership, services, resources, and programs throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD provides career and technical education, early childhood, finance, human resources, instruction, pupil accounting, special education, technology, and transportation services. In addition, Saginaw ISD operates multiple educational programs to meet the unique needs of students ages birth to 26 across Saginaw County, including: Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start/Early Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Programs, Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs.
Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, four public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, with a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students. Public school districts supported include: Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Chesaning Union Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Saginaw Public School District, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, and Swan Valley School District.
MEDIA CONTACT
Coty Kuschinsky - Saginaw ISD Chief of Staff and Communications Supervisor