Grace Hansen

Grace Hansen

English | Communications and Digital Literacy | Book Study | Yearbook

208-244-0294
hansgrac@snakeriver.org 

Grace received her bachelor’s degree in communication and then went on to obtain a law degree, studying at St. John’s University in New York City and Brigham Young University in Utah. After completing an honors internship with the FBI, graduating with her Juris Doctor, and passing the bar, Grace practiced as a prosecuting attorney for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes before deciding that the impact she believed in the most happened not in the courtroom but in the classroom. Grace transitioned her career from the law to education, and she taught English, history, and AP Literature at Idaho Falls High School for three years. Then, taking the advice she always gives to her students to follow their dreams and their hearts, Grace decided to pursue an MFA in screenwriting at the American Film Institute. During that time, as she tutored and wrote, she missed being in the classroom – the interactions with students was, she found, what made all the stories so meaningful.

At the core of Grace’s teaching philosophy is a mutual engagement between the students and the teachers with wonder and with knowledge. Antoine de Saint wrote, “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.” Grace is so excited to work with the students and continue the voyage of learning together.