Anne Huestis Scott

Background

Anne Huestis Scott is a retired elementary music teacher who has written six children’s musicals, including “Peace Cranes” – which highlights Human Rights and the life of John Peters Humphrey.

In 1999, Anne received the NB Tel Excellence in Teaching Award, for the Anglophone sector of New Brunswick.

In 2000, performances by Hampton Elementary School students of “Peace Cranes”, won HES the New Brunswick Human Rights Award.

In 2011, Anne Scott published her first book, “The Boy Who Was Bullied” which tells the story of Canadian John Peters Humphrey, the first Human Rights Director at the United Nations and drafter of the UN “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. Over 5000 have been sold.

In July, 2012, Anne received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for her human rights work, particularly for her book, “The Boy Who Was Bullied”.

In October, 2012, “Au-delà de l’intimidation”, the French-language edition of “The Boy Who Was Bullied”, was published.

In December, 2012, Anne was invited to New York City by Canada’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Rishchynski, for an international book launch of “The Boy Who Was Bullied” at the UN.

In February, 2013, Anne was invited by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to give school presentations in Winnipeg. The museum requested permission to use some of Anne’s presentation techniques in their display on John Peters Humphrey and bullying.

In August, 2013, Anne was invited to the World Scout Moot held in Duclos, Quebec to give book presentations to an international group of Rovers (ages 18-25) by the World Scout Bureau, “Messengers of Peace” Initiative.

In September, 2013, Irving Oil sponsored Anne for six school presentations in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
David Dyer, Director of the Safe and Caring Schools Program, St. John’s, NL sent this email following Anne’s visit to NL.
“Your visual presentation was so student-centered and interactive! Let’s face it, bullying is a ‘heavy’ topic but you brought meaning, smiles and a sense of community to the students. The students and staff say it was the most impact presentation they have ever had!”

In October, 2013, there was a premiere public screening of Hemmings House Pictures documentary, “The Boy Who Was Bullied”. The event was held at Hampton High School Community Theatre, with over 400 in attendance. At the evening celebration, Anne conducted a choir of 75 students, Grades 3-12, performing her anti-bullying song, “Be an Upstander, Save a Life”.

In January, 2014, Anne volunteered at Constant Spring Primary and Junior High School in Kingston, Jamaica. During her two-week-stay, Anne gave eleven presentations to students from Grades 3- 7 on her book, “The Boy Who Was Bullied”. She also helped Grade 5 students create and perform human rights skits.

In 2016, “Let’s Make It Right”, Anne’s book that explores the rights of children around the world, was published. Anne has given 41 school presentations on this book. The title of her interactive presentation is “Dropped Off by a Helicopter in a Foreign Country – Your Life Changes.”

In September, 2016, Lieutenant-Governor Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau presented Anne with the NB Human Rights Award.

In January, 2017, Curriculum Services Canada, Toronto, reviewed and approved “Let’s Make It Right” as a valuable social studies resource at the Grades 4-6 level.

Publications

The Boy Who Was Bullied, pub. 2011
Let’s Make It Right, pub. 2016

What I Offer

I offer a 45-minute presentation; I have three presentations prepared – one for Grade 6 students, one for Grades 4-5 students and one for Grades 1-3 students. Rather than reading from the book, in my presentation I take the students on a virtual trip via power point to four countries – Jamaica, Syria, Swaziland and Philippines (fewer countries for the younger students). I have the students imagine what it would be like to live in these countries and also gain some understanding on what it feels like to move to a new country with a different culture. I conclude with involving the students in a short exercise on being Upstanders and a Children’s Rights Rap which is found on the inside back cover of the book.

As a follow-up, I would be willing to conduct a workshop with a small group of students which would include a discussion about the process of writing the book; the process of researching and getting permission for photos; talking about which children’s rights are not being respected and why; the importance of understanding that with rights go responsibilities, and how best to be an Upstander, standing up and speaking out for those who are being bullied. I would involve the students in role-playing, illustrating, and making group body sculptures, depicting children’s rights.