Tanysha George’s grades are never a concern, but the ones she hands out have become a big deal at Frances Kelsey Secondary School.
Late in the 2020-21 school year, George, who recently finished Grade 10, started giving teachers at the school marks for their performances.
According to principal Jeff Rowan, George’s ratings have become “very competitive” among Kelsey staff.
It’s a good-natured way of keeping teachers on their toes for George, who shrugs when asked what her inspiration was.
“I was just bored one day,” she says.
Education assistant Sara Middleton notes that George always writes up her grades with a sense of humour, and Rowan adds that her messages are “quite on point.”
“She always tells us what our best qualities are,” Indigenous support worker Warren Mearns says.
“We all like to have our tires pumped.”
George, who was named the Duncan Rotary Club Student of the Month for May, works hard for her own grades and has done well in school. When her friends are struggling, Rowan notes, George is a positive influence, helping them out and making sure they get to class.
In general, George is an uplifting presence at the school.
“She’s always positive,” Rowan says. “She’s got that big smile we appreciate every day.”
George is also involved in badminton and soccer, and joined a competitive running team this spring as its only female member.
With two years left before she graduates from Kelsey, George has time to continue making a positive impact on the school. She was recently voted into Student Parliament for next year.