Brandon Twp.- From Apple II computers and Dot Matrix printers to networking and smartboards, Colleen Hanson has seen a huge change in technology since becoming a teacher 25 years ago.
‘I have saved some of the kids? stuff and I look at the work we did back then and I laugh and think, ‘We’ve come so far,?? said Hanson, 48. ‘Technology is huge in education and just gets bigger and bigger.?
The third-grade teacher at Harvey Swanson Elementary retired this month after 22 years with the Brandon School District. One thing that hasn’t changed, she said, is the kids. Although they are technologically smarter now, they are still basically the same.
‘Every group is new and fun and over time, they really haven’t been much different,? she said. ‘Every group is special.?
Hanson graduated from Oakland University in 1983 with a degree in education, majoring in math and science. She found a job teaching middle school students in Naperville, Ill. and taught there for three years, before returning to Michigan to teach in Brandon. At that time, there were no openings for a middle school teacher, but third grade was available and she fell in love with it.
‘It’s such a great age,? Hanson said. ‘I love working with kids and wanted to do something that would make a difference and would be special and meaningful to me, and hopefully others. I’ve had such a positive and incredible experience.?
Hanson said she has enjoyed working with Harvey Swanson Principal Helen Clemetsen and the rest of the staff.
‘It’s fun to watch the new teachers come in and I got to the point where I was one of the old ones,? she laughs.
The most rewarding thing for Hanson as a teacher is to watch the growth of her students, seeing what they are able to accomplish. She enjoys it when they return to tell her what is going on in their lives and she sees how they have grown.
‘They look so different,? she said. ‘A lot of times they have to tell me who they are, but I remember all my kids and can often still see a resemblance once I hear the name.?
The biggest challenge in teaching for Hanson has been having patience and making sure she helps each child succeed to their potential. Standardized testing has also been difficult, she says, because of the measurement of ability and achievement based on one test (the MEAP).
‘To be completely judged on one test is not necessarily the most fair method of gauging ability,? she said.
Hanson is retiring to be a stay-at-home mom to her children, Christina, 16, a junior at Lake Orion High School and Justin, 13, an eighth grader at Scripps Middle School. She has been married to Dave Hanson for six years and also has two stepchildren, Matt, a junior at Michigan State University, and Carly, a senior at Oakland University.
‘I will miss the kids and my friends,? said Hanson. ‘There was a retirement party May 27; it was awesome and such a great way to bring closure and say goodbye. We were all crying, some of the kids more than others. I gave them my e-mail and I have already gotten e-mails from several.?