Sawatsky Sign-Off: B.C. teachers cultivate community with music videos

PORT ALBERNI, B.C. –

Although his classroom is filled with students now, Jeff Bordal will never forget how empty it once was.

“The pandemic was a lonely time,” the teacher says. “It was a weird time.”

Jeff’s wife and fellow teacher, Brittney Bordal, also missed connecting with the school community, so the couple decided to produce a virtual talent show for the students.

Instead of the usual 15 participants, they showcased 150 kids.

“It was like, ‘Oh! Wow!” Brittney says. “This reaches a lot of kids we wouldn’t normally reach.”

The teachers found that students who might have felt uncomfortable performing in front of a live audiences were willing to showcase their talent on camera.

So after the pandemic, the duo started using video (https://www.youtube.com/@AESFrenchFries) to connect with the students, from posting fun online interviews, to producing a short movie, inspired by “The Office” TV show, called “The School.”

“We were like, ‘That’s actually …