Jim Hanson:
Great Chemistry Defined
and Recognized
 

On May 12, 2006, Novi High School Chemistry teacher Jim Hanson was presented with a very prestigious award. He was named ‘Novi Community Schools Teacher of the Year.’ For his efforts, he also received a free one-year lease on a new vehicle from the Suburban Collection.

While that terrific gift was a nice addition to his well-deserved honor, perhaps the greatest recognition comes from knowing that in the last 38 years, Jim Hanson has had a profound impact on the lives of thousands of students. Many of those former students today, have children of their own, and they no doubt benefited from the philosophies and teachings that Jim Hanson espouse.

Hanson also doubles as Novi High School’s tennis coach, and it should come as no surprise that he’s also been named ‘Coach of the Year’ on two occasions.

To be selected for this accolade, The Novi Educational Foundation identifies a teacher that has shown exemplary characteristics in several key areas;

-The willingness to set high expectations for their students.

-The ability to instill a love of learning in the classroom.

-A strong sense of integrity and professional ethics.

-The flexibility to learn and try new teaching techniques and concepts.

-A strong knowledge of curriculum content

-A great desire to be involved in child development.

-A positive mental attitude, and potent leadership abilities.

Simply put, Jim Hanson has exhibited all of these traits to a high degree for many years…

A Michigan native, Jim attended Chelsea HS, and was perhaps influenced by his father, who was a chemist. He graduated from Central Michigan University with a BS in Chemistry & Biology, and then he earned his Masters Degree from Eastern Michigan University in Chemistry.

He began his teaching career at Livonia/Clarenceville, and after 15 successful years, he moved onto the Novi School District in 1983, and he’s been here ever since.

“One of the reasons I still teach, is because I like to Coach,” he reminded. In the classroom and on the tennis court, he gets to do both, and he does them very well.

“I want kids to have goals, and work as hard as they can, and I want them to be committed to academic excellence.” He believes strongly that if you set high standards, you get better results, and as such he holds his student/athletes to high standards.

And his message is always packaged in a way that is designed to maximize effectiveness. He uses humor, stories, the ability to relate past experiences to the present, and of course strong bedside-manor as he knows that every human being has the potential for greatness, if proper care, coaching and training exist.

“I am very honored to receive this award,” Hanson stated, “and I think I represent all the teachers in the District.” Humble in his approach Jim Hanson still has fun after almost four decades and he credits his peers, most notably Rand Helmkamp, for being part of such a productive, professional environment.

Whether it be on the court or in the classroom setting, it is apparent that there has been great chemistry between the ‘2006 Teacher of the Year’ and the entire Novi Community Schools Family.

Congratulations to Mr. Jim Hanson, we look forward to the next 38 years…