If you have spent anytime at Fairhope Elementary School over the past three decades, you have almost certainly crossed paths with Ann Whatley.

Whatley, a music specialist at the school, has been teaching there for 27 years.

Over those years, Whatley has worked day in and day out to share her love of music with classrooms full of children.

Whatley says her lifelong love of music began at home, where she was raised by a family of musicians.

“My mother was the church organist and my father played by ear,” Whatley says. “My grandmother was always playing the piano for me. I began playing the piano at three and singing solos in church at five.”

Whatley says her skills on the piano gave her an opportunity to be the accompanist for her high school choir and then to have a piano scholarship to the same college her mother attended.

While attending college, an experience teaching music at a summer camp veered Whatley away from her original plans.

“After having the opportunity to be the music director of a summer camp during my second year in college, I changed my major from music therapy to music education,” Whatley says. “I knew I wanted to share my love of music with children.”

She says while she enjoys working with all of her students, one group rises above the rest in her mind.

“I enjoy molding children’s knowledge of music and their love of music through energized, active lessons,” Whatley says. “But developing my third grade auditioned chorus into a performing group brings me great joy and pleasure. Watching students who may otherwise not be an outstanding student “shine” on stage is rewarding.”

Year after year, Whatley says she strives to create an environment in her classroom that is both fun and educational for her students.

“I want them to go home saying, ‘When you’re in Mrs. Whatley’s room, you are in a world of music. She loves music so much, and I love it too!’” Whatley says. “When I have young adults in my community tell me they still remember this or that about my music class, I feel like I have touched their lives.”

TEACHER: Ann Whatley

SCHOOL: Fairhope Elementary School

SUBJECT(S) TAUGHT: Music specialist