Teachers of the Year passionate about education and children

Educators honored by school board

By Karen Smith
OBSERVER STAFF WRITER

Susan Bliss and Amy Rozman are Livonia's Teachers of the Year.

Bliss, a fourth-grade teacher at Hayes Elementary, and Rozman, who teaches radio and television classes at Stevenson High School, were honored by the school board Monday after being nominated by parents and selected by a committee that included teachers, administrators and parents.

Donna McDowell, the district's administrator of communications, called them master teachers. She read comments by parents from their nomination forms at the awards presentation.

“Mrs. Bliss is the most warm and caring teacher I have ever encountered,” McDowell read, quoting parent Mary MacPhail. “She listens to every word students and parents speak, and it is apparent that her students' education is her main goal. I am the parent of four children, and my children and I can all tell you that their greatest years in school have been the years in Mrs. Bliss' class.”

At Stevenson High School, Rozman leads by example, according to parent Bonnie Goodrich.

“Ms. Rozman is a most enthusiastic and caring teacher,” McDowell read, quoting Goodrich. “She inspires them to try out new ideas and to reach beyond classroom expectations. No wonder students love to spend time with her in classes and extra activities.

“She encourages her students not only to be strong academically, but to be strong and healthy and to make a difference in the world. What more could we want for our children?”

Bliss said she was overwhelmed by the award; Rozman said she was honored and thrilled.

“It's a thrill to be recognized for a job that I absolutely love,” Rozman said.

The teachers each received a Sanders gift basket and a gift certificate for an overnight stay at the Radisson Hotel, as well as gift certificates to a spa and local restaurant.

Asked to say a few words, Bliss shared her teaching philosophy.

“I truly believe excellent teaching is a partnership,” Bliss said. “Good teaching is not done in isolation, but with the feedback and communication we gain while conversing with our peers.”

Bliss said she was inspired by her parents to pursue a career in education. Her dad used to look for the longest words in the dictionary and have her learn their meaning and spellings. “I felt like the smartest kid on the planet,” she said.

Rozman, who wanted to be a teacher from a young age, said she is inspired by her students when they discover a cause or develop a passion and realize what they are able to do. “This is why I teach,” she said. “I teach for them.”

Bliss has taught for 24 years in Livonia. She was at Nankin Mills School before coming to Hayes. She has taught fourth grade for three years; previously she taught second grade. She is also a literacy leader, assisting colleagues with implementing new teaching strategies. In addition, she has conducted after-school book clubs to help improve student writing scores.

Each year, she attends the Michigan Reading Association conference and other professional development opportunities to improve her teaching skills.

But Bliss' most outstanding quality may be her warmth with students, said Sally Gyokeres, a former elementary art teacher who worked with Bliss at Nankin Mills. “The kids all know they're cared so much for,” she said.

Rozman has worked for 16 years for Livonia schools and has a waiting list of students wanting to get into her classes. She developed the curriculum for Advanced TV and helped develop the Global Education Senior project. For the past two years, she has served as staff sponsor of the Invisible Children Committee, a group of students who raise awareness of the plight of kids in Uganda. This year, the group collected more than 18,000 books for Ugandan schools.

Rozman is also responsible for producing the Video Yearbook. One of her students' productions recently won a state “Best of Show Award.” It was aired at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Stevenson Principal Steve Archibald said Rozman is passionate about her students and her teaching. and works tirelessly.

“Ms. Rozman challenges students to get the most out of them and they love her in return,” he said. “She is forward-thinking and sets the pace for others. She is very much a leader by example.”

ksmith@hometownlife.com | (313) 222-2098