London, Ontario, primary school educator Rui Castelhano arrived at his school on Thursday morning with a wide grin following the Toronto Blue Jays’ triumph over the New York Yankees in a 3-1 series win in the American League Division Series. Decked out in Blue Jays attire, including a branded jacket and matching shirt, with a Blue Jays lanyard hanging from his pocket, Castelhano exuded joy.
“I want the students to know about my passion for the Jays,” he remarked. “Sometimes, kids don’t see you as a regular person because you’re a teacher.”
Teaching sixth grade at Saint Marguerite D’Youville Catholic Elementary School, Castelhano enjoys sharing his love for the Jays and sports with his students. Within his workspace, he maintains a collection of posters and newspaper clippings featuring the Jays, along with bobblehead figures of Josh Donaldson and Mark Buehrle atop a bookshelf. The room is adorned with gifts from former students, such as drawings, paintings, and letters bearing the team’s logo.
Beyond his clothing and decorations, Castelhano integrates his passion for baseball into his teaching methods. “The students become more involved. They enjoy the class, ask more questions, seek to discover more, and are eager to learn more,” Castelhano stated. Utilizing the Jays in the classroom, he teaches statistics by having students analyze baseball cards to understand information, percentages, and averages.
Although this marks Castelhano’s initial year at Saint Marguerite D’Youville, he has been leveraging the “Blue Jays experience” to connect with students for close to two decades. He has even escorted former classes on outings to Jays games.
Principal Alisha Gingerich emphasized the significance of Castelhano’s approach in engaging with other sports enthusiasts and athletically-inclined students. “By engaging with those students, he can spark their interest in academics and establish relationships with them,” Gingerich noted. “Building a strong relationship with your students enhances their learning experience.”
A devoted Blue Jays fan since his own sixth-grade days, Castelhano’s devotion to the team has only deepened over the years. He disclosed attending every home opener game for the past 15 years and expanding his memorabilia collection at home, which includes posters, vintage team photos, and jerseys of various colors.
With the Jays advancing to face either the Detroit Tigers or Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series, Castelhano remains optimistic. “They are an unpredictable team, with everyone performing exceptionally well. I believe they can go all the way,” Castelhano expressed. “If they managed to defeat the Yankees in the manner they did, I believe they can overcome any opponent.”
The first home game at Toronto’s Rogers Centre is scheduled for Sunday, October 12, with the series victor progressing to the World Series.