Kindergarten teacher honored with award for teaching with heart and soul

FARMINGTON HILLS — Carol McGorisk, a kindergarten teacher at Longview Elementary School, was presented with the Judy White-Ora Teaching with Heart and Soul Award during the Farmington Public Schools Board of Education meeting June 7.

The award is given out annually in honor of White-Ora, a former assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction who passed away in 2006. White-Ora was one of the first female administrative educators in the state. She believed in developing teachers and relationships, according to Diane Bauman, the director of school/community relations.

“I am a little overwhelmed ... but I am humbled and honored to receive this honor, especially because Judy White’s name is on it,” said McGorisk. “Because I knew Judy and I was able to work with her in the district, and she was the ultimate professional. She was very thorough, and everything she did, she did to the nines.”

According to Bauman, White-Ora created a pledge that she wanted all educators to sign, and Bauman said McGorisk epitomizes this pledge, which says, “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, and create a caring learning community.”

Bauman said that McGorisk had around seven nominations for the award, and Bauman read statements from a few of them.

“Within the classroom, it’s been a joy to see, as a parent, the many activities she facilitates with her students, including those that serve to have the children work together with their classmates to achieve a common goal,” said one of her nominators.

“One of the many things that make Carol such a tremendous and effective teacher is that she not only respects the uniqueness of each child, but she embraces it and celebrates it each and every day, and this helps to build the children’s self-confidence. She effortlessly exudes tremendous passion and energy,” said another nominator.

Bauman then presented McGorisk with a small, glass, heart-shaped trophy and said her name will be added to the plaque that hangs at the district’s central office with the names of all the other award recipients.

“What an honor. When I take a look at the plaque and see all the names that are ahead of me, it truly overwhelms me,” said McGorisk. “I have been blessed and honored to grow up in Farmington and to teach in Farmington.”

Board Secretary Angie Smith said that, when her daughter was kindergarten age and attending the no-longer-standing Wooddale Elementary, she asked Smith to call the president of the United States, because she wanted to have Mrs. McGorisk as a teacher. Smith said her daughter “didn’t want the teacher that wasn’t bubbly walking up and down the hallways.”

“It is an honor, because I too knew Judy, and no one deserves it better than you,” said Smith. “I appreciate all that you have done in the Farmington Public Schools, as well as how you’ve made so many of our children blossom and become the young people that they have become.”