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As Kezra Gerbrandt prepares to graduate from the University of Manitoba’s College of Pharmacy, she’s looking back—way back—to a fourth-grade classroom where she first experienced the kind of support and care that helped shape her path.
This spring, Gerbrandt was selected to take part in the University of Manitoba’s Students’ Teacher Recognition Reception (STRR), a long-running program that invites nominated graduating students to recognize two teachers—one from their university years and one from kindergarten to Grade 12—who made a lasting impact. Gerbrandt chose her former university instructor and, for her K–12 nomination, she immediately thought of her 4th-grade teacher from Winkler Elementary, Cindy Kalansky.
“I just had really good memories of being in her class,” said Gerbrandt. “She was just so kind and so patient—very patient, in fact, to keep up with all the shenanigans that we did in class. And she still made sure we learned all the material we needed to know.”
A welcome surprise
Gerbrandt said she didn’t know the STRR program existed until she got an email from the College of Pharmacy informing her she’d been selected.
“They let me know that they chose me for this award and that I should also nominate two teachers that I thought were exceptional,” she explained. “Then I emailed the teachers about it as well, and then it just kind of all went from there.”
What made Kalansky stand out wasn’t just the academics, though Gerbrandt remembers plenty of that, too.
“We learned decimals, fractions, that kind of important thing,” she said, “but also how to be kind and empathetic, and kids of character.”
Kalansky, who still teaches in the same division, says she didn’t know about the STRR either, at least not at first.
“When I first got the call, I was a little confused about what it was about,” she said. “My first impression was that Kezra had been nominated for an award, which didn’t surprise me in the slightest… but that she was inviting me to be part of her audience, which was very exciting.”
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The things you remember
Once she understood what the award was really about, Kalansky was moved. “That was really thrilling... to know that they think back and they remember some of what was taught and the fun that we had together, the memories that we made.”
Gerbrandt still remembers some of those moments clearly. “I remember a lot of the books that she taught us, like Old Yeller,” she said. “I think we watched the movie as well, right? That was very sad, but very good to read.”
For Kalansky, it’s the fun, sometimes silly, moments that stand out most over the years. “You might not remember the day-to-day lessons,” she said, “but you have memories of moments with the kids… I remember you [Ezra] girls pretty much coerced me into showing up at school in my wedding dress for dress-up day.”
When asked what drives her to continue building strong connections with students, Kalansky points to relationships and creating a space where kids feel seen.
“Teaching is one of those professions where society is reflected in your classroom,” she said. “Kids bring their life and their experiences with them... so if they’re having a tumultuous or difficult time at home, we meet them where they’re at.”
Gerbrandt says that the spirit of care and connection came through clearly, even back in Grade 4. “She always had a very good sense of humour,” she said. “And like I said, she was also very, very kind and patient. You could tell that she had a passion for teaching as well."
Looking back, Gerbrandt says the award gave her a chance to appreciate just how many people helped her get to this milestone.
“I think even just graduating is kind of a time that we look back and reminisce over the past 20 years,” she said. “But this made me do that even more so and kind of think about all the people who have taught me and how amazing they were.”