Kent Hanna (pictured) was named Medicine Hat College's recipient of the Lieutenant Governor's Social Studies Education Student Award (Photo courtesy of Scott Roblin)

By Scott Roblin

Provincial Honour

MHC graduate Hanna wins provincial social studies education award

Jul 13, 2020 | 12:07 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Kent Hanna has spent the past four years turning his passion for history and learning into what he hopes is a long career.

Now, he’s been honoured by the Government of Alberta for that passion.

Last week, the Medicine Hat College education program graduate received word that he was named a winner of the Lieutenant Governor’s Social Studies Education Student Award.

The award is handed out annually to seven students studying education at post-secondary institutions in Alberta who demonstrate the academic aptitude and passion to lead students in history and social studies.

“It means that all my hard work has paid off over the past four years,” said Hanna. “Social studies is something that I’ve always been passionate about. So, being able to be recognized for my passions is pretty cool.”

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Hanna was part of a group of finalists from Medicine Hat College who had to write a short essay and deliver a five to seven minute presentation on how to make social studies learning more enjoyable across the province.

That presentation portion was different this year due to the ongoing effects of the coronavirus, as it was held entirely online.

Although it was an adjustment for Hanna, he said it was a good precursor for the online teaching that will likely be necessary in his first year as an instructor.

“The biggest thing that I found was that you have to keep it simple being online,” he said. “If it gets too complicated and especially if you’re not there one-on-one with the students, you have to think of ways to make it easy enough for them to understand it at home.”

Hanna’s first classroom as a full-time teacher will be located across the border in Maple Creek, set to teach Grade 8 and 9 students in English, health, and social studies at Maple Creek Composite School.

“It lets me know as a first-year teacher that I can teach,” said Hanna. “So, it’s kind of a relief that way knowing that I can do this.”

History and world events have always fascinated Hanna through his four years of post-secondary schooling and is excited to pass along that same passion to his first batch of students in the fall.

“The biggest thing I found for social studies anyways is to make it engaging, you have to look into the past, make it fun, and then keep an eye towards the future,” said Hanna. “That way, we don’t make the same mistakes.”

Hanna will be awarded a medallion and a crystal owl from the province for winning the award.