WARMINGTON: Mr. D returns to classrooms across Canada
Gerry Dee makes kids laugh while giving teachers a break
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Mr. D was back in the classroom this week and students and teachers alike gave him an A.
This was a much needed injection of humour, and at a time when people are in need of a good laugh.
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WARMINGTON: Mr. D returns to classrooms across Canada Back to video
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“It was fun,” Canadian comedian Gerry Dee said Friday after his innovative virtual sojourn back into the classroom.
It was an eye-opening experience.
“These teachers today are faced with so much,” said Dee, who played a teacher on the CBC’s Mr. D for eight seasons and now hosts Family Feud Canada. “With the technical aspect to it with online learning, I don’t know if I have the patience for it.”
He lauds today’s teachers for their commitment. It was while getting his own three kids — 14, 12 and 9 — up to speed for this week’s return to online learning that he decided to offer up some help by putting out an invitation on Twitter.
“Teachers, DM me a Zoom link and a time today and tomorrow you have a remote class happening and I will jump on and chat to your students. Gives you a little break! Will get to as many as I can. I won’t tell you ahead of time so just let me in if you see me waiting. DMs open!”
Just like that, the one-time teacher himself was back in the classroom for the first time in more than a decade.
“I was just sitting at my computer and I just put it out on social media not knowing if anybody would even respond,” Dee said.
But they did — by the dozens.
He ended up joining in classrooms, from kindergarten to Grade 12, right across the country on Wednesday and Thursday.
“I was pleasantly surprised,” Dee said. “But then I quickly found out that while their teachers knew me, a lot of the kids had no idea, and they don’t hesitate to let you know that.”
“Are you the new principal?” some kids asked.
But a lot of the older grades knew him from TV and the teachers know he’s one of their own.
A veteran of the standup comedy stage, Dee has played some tough rooms. But this was the ultimate test — and he did great. It was a neat idea and some real out-of-the-box community spirit.
“I loved every minute of it,” Dee said. “The students and teachers have been through so much during the pandemic and they are working hard to make the best of it.”
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He joked it also gave him something to do with his kids in school and no hockey happening to coach, play or watch.
“I am preparing for a 16-date (standup) tour in April and May and just wanted to do something to help out,” Dee said.
He ended up with so many requests, he couldn’t get to them all.
“I may do it again next week,” Dee said.
Next time, Mr. D will aim for an A-plus.
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