Farmington Schools Honors Two Who Teach With 'Heart and Soul'

For the first time, has honored two teachers with the Judy White-Ora "Teaching with Heart and Soul" Award. 

On Tuesday, superintendent Susan Zurvalec, with the help of co-conspirators at and schools, surprised Hatty Ligon and Ann Marie Robinson with the honor. 

A Resource Teacher at Warner, Ligon began her career as a student teacher at . Though she has been an educator for 17 years, her mother, Betty Manning, said it wasn't her first choice.

"After her first semester (in college), she said, 'Mom, I think I want to be a teacher.'," Manning said. 

"It was between teaching and interior design," Ligon said. "I have aunts who were teachers, and they were very influential." She said she has stayed in the profession, though, for one reason: "I love to teach."  

Nominator and colleague Tera Shamey wrote: “A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every passerby leaves a mark. The mark that Hatty leaves is constant and full of kindness, love and respect for every child she comes in contact with. She is the epitome of the concept of ‘Teaching with Heart and Soul.’ ”

Ligon is also involved in the District’s Math Task Force, 5/6 Planning Committee and is the co-chair for Warner’s Operation Common Good. Operation Common Good raises money for needy families in the community.

'A light that shines for students and teaching'

Robinson has been teaching with the district for 20 years and worked at Wooddale and William Grace elementary schools before they closed two years ago. She said when Wooddale closed, her students were split between two schools. One boy who was having a difficult time with the change influenced her decision to move to Hillside, she said. 

Colleagues said that kind of empathy with students is typical of Robinson, who can often be seen at students' games and activities, as well as family events.

Pam Green, Hillside Principal wrote that Robinson "carries a light that shines for students and teaching. Teaching isn't just a job to her, it’s is a way of life. It gives meaning to her existence. Having known Judy White-Ora, I believe the award was meant for someone like Ann Marie. She not only displays all the qualities that Judy looked for in an educator, she sets the bar for others.” 

A retired assistant superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Judy White-Ora passed away on Jan. 6, 2006. Following her death, the district created the "Teaching with Heart and Soul Award" for teachers who lead their lives by the words of a pledge:

Today I will:

• Respect the uniqueness of each child
• Ignite the joy of learning
• Listen to their voices
• Put human connections first
• Encourage the spirit and let their light shine
• Create a caring learning community

Ligon and Robinson will be honored at the May 8 Farmington school board meeting, held at the Lewis Schulman Administrative Center, 32500 Shiawassee, Farmington.

Correction: In the original version of this story, the name of Warner Upper Elementary principal Mark Watson was incorrectly reported.