The Reckoner sat down and interviewed Mr. Brossard, a computer science and computer engineering teacher at MGCI.

Q: What subjects do you teach at this school?

A: Grade 10 and 11 computer engineering and computer science.

Q: How long have you taught at MGCI?

A: Since 2005.

Q: Do you have any funny stories to share in class?

A: A funny story? Nothing comes to mind. I wish I had more stories. Well, the TOPS end of semester party for computer science is quite fun. One time we played Christmas tunes and everybody brought out their instruments. That was a joy and the TOPS kids really liked it.

Q: What did you do before you were a teacher?

A: I was a music composer, so I composed for [studios] like TVO, for private producers, and for television shows. One is Catches of Our Town. It’s kind of old but it was there for a long time. They did something like two hundred shows, so that kept me quite busy. I did a lot of work for TV Ontario and CBC. I also had a studio where I used to write my own music and compose albums for people. I did voiceovers and studio work of different kinds for about seventeen years at different networks around Toronto.

Q: What’s the best thing about teaching at MGCI?

A: The variety of students that we have. The diversification. [The] excellence. Some students never cease to amaze me. For instance [a student] went to Apple for a week. It was a surprise. Teams in computer science won at the ECOO (Educational Computing Organization of Ontario) Contest. Some are going to IOI (International Olympiad in Informatics ). That’s astounding. Plus, girls teams are making headway. It’s super exciting, the energy is phenomenal. I find the students cordial and amicable, and just the energy is electrifying and really fun from the teacher standpoint to get involved in.

Q: What did you do before you were a teacher?

A: I was a music composer, so I composed for [studios] like TVO, for private producers, and for television shows. One is Catches of Our Town. It’s kind of old but it was there for a long time. They did something like two hundred shows, so that kept me quite busy. I did a lot of work for TV Ontario and CBC. I also had a studio where I used to write my own music and compose albums for people. I did voiceovers and studio work of different kinds for about seventeen years at different networks around Toronto.

Q: Why did you decide to teach computer science/computer engineering?

A: I like to share information, share my knowledge, and have a steady job. For music composing you’re always freelancing. It’s feast or famine—sometimes it’s feast, sometimes it’s famine. With a family, I wanted something a little more steady. Teaching appealed to me because I have a love for electronics. Even though music is my first love, my second love is electronics. I didn’t know at the time but computer science is something that involves everything that music does, because I use computers to compose music. That’s how it kind of all fell into place.

Q: What is the most important thing you want students to take away from your classes?

A: Understanding how to learn autonomously. I teach them how to learn not from me but from themselves. That’s what I cherish the most and I’ve seen it in many many students. I plant a seed, I don’t spoon feed them, and they find information on their own. During my classes, we have an exchange of information between students. Specifically [in] computer science [it’s] very common. Students learn from each other and they are prepared to tackle anything outside the classroom, not having necessarily someone holding their hands. They can figure it out on their own. I like the idea of learning autonomously very much.

Q: What is your favorite band?

A: Bill Bruford. That’s the name of the band. The people [in the band] are drummers. It’s unpopular music. People would not be that interested in it. They made an album called Gradually Going Tornado and it’s just one in a million. But generally, it depends on how I feel. I could listen to eight-tonal music, I could listen to country music, I could listen to rock, jazz. If I’m in the right mood, if it’s well recorded, well performed, I’m in.

Q: Favorite genre of music?

A: I like it all. I like classics. I like anything, rock, hillbilly music, country music. You name it, I like it.

Q: What is the most important thing you want students to take away from your classes?

A: Understanding how to learn autonomously. I teach them how to learn not from me but from themselves. That’s what I cherish the most and I’ve seen it in many many students. I plant a seed, I don’t spoon feed them, and they find information on their own. During my classes, we have an exchange of information between students. Specifically [in] computer science [it’s] very common. Students learn from each other and they are prepared to tackle anything outside the classroom, not having necessarily someone holding their hands. They can figure it out on their own. I like the idea of learning autonomously very much.

Q: What is your favorite pastime other than music?

A: Other than music? Wow. That’s a good one. That’s a good one because I’m so busy with everything else. Tiny bit of gardening and sports like swimming. I’d say I do a lot of swimming these days.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Wow, it’s the same as music. Chicken Pad Thai. It’s like music, you name it I like it. I’m not fond of snake or monkey head, I think I would draw the line there. But I basically like everything.

Q: What is your favorite pastime other than music?

A: Other than music? Wow. That’s a good one. That’s a good one because I’m so busy with everything else. Tiny bit of gardening and sports like swimming. I’d say I do a lot of swimming these days.

Q: If you could give a piece of advice to a Garneau student, what would it be?

A: Find your passion. Find your passion and pursue it.