Distinguished Nipissing alumnus Anna Pearson is shaping the minds of the “adults of tomorrow”

On Anna Pearson’s first ever report card, her teacher wrote that one day, she would make an excellent teacher. That early insight has proven true. Today, Anna is a celebrated educator and the recipient of numerous teaching awards including the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence (2024) from Nipissing University, the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence (2022) for her outstanding contributions to K-12 education, and most recently the Award for Future-Proofing Students from the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (2025).

For Anna, her love for teaching has always been a part of who she is. She was always good at explaining concepts in different ways, adapting her approach so each person could learn in a way that suited them best.

 “That same passion inspires my work today,” Anna explains. “Whether I am teaching elementary students, mentoring teacher candidates, or supporting fellow educators, there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing that ‘light bulb’ go off when a student’s face shifts with understanding, and you know they truly grasp the concept.”

Anna sees her students as the “adults of tomorrow” and believes they need to be aware of the world around them, to think critically about what they encounter, and to be informed, engaged citizens.

“Those moments of connection, growth, and confidence are why I teach, and why I remain committed to creating learning experiences that matter,” she shared.

Anna earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in History and French and a Bachelor of Education in the Junior/Intermediate Division from Nipissing University in 2011 and returned to complete her Master of Education in Education Leadership graduating in October 2012.

She chose to pursue her post-secondary education at Nipissing University due to its esteemed Bachelor of Education program. She shares that one of the greatest advantages of the concurrent education program was the opportunity for be in classrooms each year of her undergraduate degree; experiences allowed her to grow as an educator. By convocation, she felt truly prepared to begin her career.

She noted that her history program was equally transformative. Her independent research projects where she chose to learn about women in combat roles during the Second World Wat and restorative justice through Gacaca Courts after the Rwandan Genocide sparked her interest in Africa leading her to volunteer with International Children’s Awareness and NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) in North Bay. It also inspired her to pursue graduate studies, combining her love of history and education.

Outside the classroom, Anna participated in international opportunities that shaped her worldview and ignited a lifelong passion for learning through experience. Anna completed an exchange in Växjö, Sweden, where she attended Växjö Universitet, played women’s hockey, and supported displaced students learning English in a Swedish school. She also undertook an international teaching placement in Albania, where she taught English in an international school.

“My years at Nipissing were nothing short of formative,” she shared. “The academic rigour, immersive placements, international experiences, and mentorship I received shaped my career path, broadened my world, and helped me discover my values and voice as an educator.”

Anna shares that being a Nipissing alumnus means carrying forward the values, relationships, and experiences that shaped her both as an educator and a person.

“Nipissing provided more than just an exceptional academic foundation; it offered a close-knit community where professors knew their students, mentorship was personal, and opportunities were abundant.”

She feels a deep sense of pride and responsibility to represent the University’s commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and lifelong learning.  

“Whether I’m teaching my own classroom, mentoring teacher candidates, or contributing to educational research, I know my work reflects the education and encouragement I received at Nipissing.”

Her advice for future Nipissing alumni is to never lose touch with the people and community that supported you and to carry that same spirit forward: stay connected, offer encouragement, and lift others as you grow in your own career.

“These relationships you build at Nipissing are lifelong, and they are one of the most valuable legacies of your lifetime here.”

It was at Nipissing where she took to heart the phrase “never be a bystander”. To Anna, it’s not just a phrase but a moral imperative. She explains that it is a call to live with empathy, awareness and moral courage and a promise to stand up for what is right, even when it’s hard, and to encourage others to do the same.

“As an educator, I carry this responsibility into every classroom,” she said. “I want my students to be informed, critical, and compassionate citizens who understands the power of their voice and actions. I encourage them to recognize injustice, ask difficult questions, and have courage to speak up, even when it feels uncomfortable.”

Anna is currently completing a PhD at York University, exploring the ways in which experiential learning at sites of trauma fosters empathy, ethical awareness, and transformative learning.

She was recently recognized by the Nipissing University Alumni Advisory Board with the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award.