May 27, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer
Since March, when Plymouth River School fifth-grade teacher Joan Kilban was first nominated for the National Hockey League and NHL Players’ Association Most Valuable Teacher Award, she has been "floating on a cloud!" she told the Hingham Anchor.
Since the recent announcement declaring her the final winner -- which Kilban said took her by surprise -- she can't get over "the outpouring of support that I've received from the town of Hingham, and especially my former students and their families. I've reconnected with so many past students, and that has truly been my reward!"
During a Zoom call after being named Most Valuable Teacher, Boston Bruins forward Charlie Coyle offered his congratulations during a virtual pep rally in honor of Kilban, which also took her by surprise. A group of her students and PRS Principal Melissa Smith also participated.
Coyle grew up down the street from Kilban, who lives in Weymouth, and she has been following his career for many years. "I am, first and foremost, a die-hard Bruins fan. So, when you've spent so much time cheering on one of the players, and then you have a chance for that player to turn around and cheer for you, it's an indescribable fan-fantasy moment," Kilban told the Hingham Anchor.
"Charlie is not only a fabulous hockey player, he is also a tremendous role model in every sense of the word. Whenever our town is in need, Charlie steps up -- big time!" she said. "He's helped raise money for the Weymouth Food Pantry, he's paid for equipment for the Weymouth High School weight room, he attends Weymouth Youth hockey games and signs countless autographs, and he's formed true friendships with a couple of children in our town who are suffering from devastating diseases. Whatever the community needs, Charlie is there to lend a hand."
PRS teacher for 24 years
Kilban, a former PRS student, has taught there for 24 years. In a press release announcing her the final winner, she shared her thoughts about teaching.
“There isn’t a time in my life when I didn’t want to be a teacher. As a child my favorite activity was to play school. I would line all of my dolls up and rattle off the lesson of the day and my bedroom was even outfitted with my favorite ‘toy,’ a chalkboard easel," she said. "Teaching is a profession that has always called to me. My favorite part about teaching is the relationships I build with my students. A strong relationship between teachers and students has a very long lasting impact on the development of a child. When teachers have a strong bond with their students, the students are able to achieve higher levels of academic success."
When a student views his or her teacher as a learning partner, he or she is more open to learning, is more comfortable taking risks, and is willing to try harder in the classroom, Kilban said. "I feel so honored to be a part of my students’ lives and their journey, and it is a responsibility that I hold in very high regard. My oldest ‘kids’ are in their thirties, and I still receive notes, emails, and visits from them. I thrill at the news of their successes and am humbled at the thought that I had even a tiny hand in their success.”
As the final winner, Kilban will be invited to the 2020 NHL Awards in Las Vegas. In the meantime, Hingham Public Schools received a donation of $30,000 to purchase SAP technology as part of the award.
Future Goals program
Kilban was recognized for her part in the NHL/NHLPA Future Goals program -- for going above and beyond -- which she introduced in her classroom five years ago.
The program partners with EverFi, a leading critical skills education platform, to teach important skills, with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) sports curriculum that helps prepare students for success in life. The program uses hockey as a STEM learning vehicle to help students understand real-world applications of science and math principles.
During the virtual pep rally, Coyle praised Kilban as "a true role model. I admire and appreciate everything she has done for the Town of Hingham. STEM education is important more than ever right now, and knowing that Joan is continuing to help with these kids' educational journey is truly inspiring."
The Future Goals lessons answer the age-old question of ‘When are we ever going to need to know this in real life?’ The amount of excitement and engagement I have seen when my students know we are doing ‘Bruins Math and Science’ is overwhelming," Kilban said. "It’s been a common sight in our school to see the 5Kilban students, dressed in their Bruins finest, literally running into school to start one of these activities. I can honestly say, there are not many times teachers see students running to start a lesson on potential vs. kinetic energy or angle measurements. The program is that powerful!"
The Most Valuable Teacher Award program was launched last January at the 2020 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic with the nomination of 12 teachers from the U.S. and Canada. Another 12 teachers were nominated in February, and again in March, including Kilban.
Overwhelming support
Throughout each month, fans, teachers, students and parents were able to visit NHL.com/MVT and vote once a day, every day, for their favorite teacher.
Kilban received overwhelming support from Hingham students and families, residents from her hometown of Weymouth, and many Bruins fan groups in New England and beyond.
"Plymouth River Elementary School is lucky to have Mrs. Kilban! She is truly an inspiration and an asset to our school. The knowledge that she has gained through the Bruins Academy not only enhances instruction within her classroom, but also to the entire fifth-grade class, the school, and across New England as a presenter," Smith said. "The lessons she creates are interactive and STEM-related. The STEM connections point out real-world applications, and students are highly engaged. The PRS community is proud of Mrs. Kilban for this award -- it's well deserved!"