Kelvin teacher influences Loran scholar

A Kelvin High School teacher has received recognition for her positive impact on a Loran scholar.  

Anne-Marie Hanson recently received the Loran Teachers Building Leaders Award from the Loran Scholars Foundation. Hanson was nominated by former Kelvin student Sila Rogan, a 2017 Loran scholar. 

“I felt surprised of course, but also honoured, a little embarrassed and a little unworthy. All of those feelings together,” said Hanson on receiving the award.

“I also felt proud. I feel this award comes at an important time, when teachers are feeling really doubtful of their capacity to affect our young people, especially given our situation this year. I feel that in my accepting of this award, it’s a way to recognize all teachers, who strive every day to make young minds come alive.”

The Loran Teachers Building Leaders Award is supported by the McCall MacBain Foundation. According to the Loran Scholars Foundation, the award recognizes “primary and secondary school teachers who provide early inspiration, guidance and growth opportunities for our scholars.” 

Hanson, an English teacher, has taught at Kelvin since 2007. Rogan, an Inuit student, recently completed her undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia and has been accepted into medical school.

“Considering her interest in the sciences and her pursuit of a medical degree, I find it startling that I’m the teacher that she chose to honour,” Hanson said.

As an English teacher, Hanson said her job isn’t just to expose students to great literature, but to also teach them “to read and think well.”

“When I say read and think well, I mean to develop the ability to resist leaping after certainty. To resist leaping after certainty can be really uncomfortable and even scary sometimes. I felt Sila possessed a willingness and an ability to function within the realm of uncertainty and therefore was able to dig into literature and explore all of its fruits. 

Hanson said Rogan possesses a “natural questioning stance” that made for wonderful student of literature and will make for a “remarkable scientist or doctor.”  

“You have to be willing to revise your thinking,” Hanson said. “But, some people dig in their heels, like ‘I decided what this means.’ That is the antithesis of education, but I feel it’s also very common in contemporary society. To seem certain is valued and I don’t agree with that.”

“I think what I admire about Sila is her willingness to be uncertain. It’s just so lovely to work with young people, Sila in particular, who are resisting that, because it’s a powerful influence that they’re confronting.”