Recipient: Ann Kelland

School: Open Door Secondary School for Adult Learning

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Subject: English

Inspiration/Motivation for being a Teacher of Excellence:

Ann has spent most of her career in adult and special education where she helps adult learners to see what they can do vs. what they cannot do.  She understands fully that just because you turn 18 doesn’t mean that learning disabilities go away.  She sees her role with the adult learner as helping them to recognize that they are not stupid.

Ann believes that she was created to teach and is fulfilling God’s call in her life.  She loves teaching and loves serving adult learners who often are poor and have many problems…these learners need great teachers and influencers of which Ann is an excellent one.

Ann was nominated by one of her student’s.  Her honesty reveals the depth of Ann’s impact on her students.

“It is a wonderful privilege to have met Ann.  It had been 11 years since I attended school.  I walked through Ann’s door during the most turbulent and troublesome time in my life.  I was extremely nervous and doubtful of my abilities.  My self-esteem, confidence and self-worth were literally lying on the floor.  In the past I was not given any formal testing however, there were teachers who labeled me as “learning disabled”, and so I thought I should inform Ann.  After spending a short amount of time with Ann, she not only discerned that I did not have a learning disability, but believed that I was capable of working at an advanced level.  Years of feeling stupid and incapable resounded within my head for quite some time; however, I can confidently say that there IS power in the positive spoken word.  Ann continuously spoke to me with words of praise and encouragement.  Ann helped me to see my abilities and to believe in myself by imparting confidence I needed to succeed. Because of Ann’s excellent nurturing as a teacher, I now feel success can be eminent in my life.”