She’s a third grade teacher with a legacy in Utica Schools for her compassion and patience during the years when students need it most.
Ms. Rosemary Rowley has impacted countless students in her decades of teaching at West Utica Elementary and many of her former students and fellow teaching partners came together to make her All Star surprise extra special.
They had cakes, signs and balloons set up all while West Utica Elementary was doing their very best to keep her surprise a secret.
“She’s so nice and sweet, she’s always been there for us, she always helps us out,” student Rose Adel said.
Never seeking recognition, which is why Ms. Rowley’s students and teachers past and present went all out when they heard she was being honored as our All Star.
“Ms. Rowley, today, is about you,” Principal Bradley Suggs said. “Today is a special day for you for all of the wonderful, wonderful things you have done for all our students and our community and our career.”
Shocked and overwhelmed there wasn’t enough time to let everyone speak about the impact Ms. Rowley has made in her more than 30 years of teaching.
“She has the ability to make lifelong connections with her students because she sincerely cares about each of them,” one teacher said. “I’ve worked with her for six years now and I’ve never heard her say a bad word about anybody,” said another teacher.
Never having children of her own, Ms. Rowley says her students are her kids.
“I pray every night, I pray for the kids and the families and their extended families and all those trying to help them at West Utica past, present and future, that’s my prayer every night,” she said.
It’s a love former student Andrea Clark feels decades later.
“She deserves it more than anybody I know,” she said.
Adel says she sees Ms. Rowley as a mom.
“She’s like the best teacher in the 3rd grade and the whole school, I love her so much,” she said.
As for retirement, Ms. Rowley says it is in the future, she's just not sure if she's ready just yet.
Congratulations Ms. Rowley!
To nominate someone for Ann Marie’s All Stars email annmarie.laflamme@wxyz.com
Subject: Ann Marie’s All Stars Nomination: (nominee’s name)
Nominator’s name and phone number:
Why this person deserves to be honored as an All Star:
