London, Ontario, primary school teacher Rui Castelhano arrived at his educational institution on Thursday filled with joy following the Toronto Blue Jays’ triumph over the New York Yankees in a 3-1 series win in the American League Division Series. Clad in Blue Jays attire including a jacket, a team shirt, and a lanyard, Castelhano was visibly delighted.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the Blue Jays, Castelhano, who instructs Grade 6 students at Saint Marguerite D’Youville Catholic Elementary School, emphasized the importance of sharing his love for the team and sports with his pupils. His classroom is adorned with Jays posters, bobblehead figures of players like Josh Donaldson and Mark Buehrle, and artwork and letters featuring the team’s logo from former students.
Beyond his classroom decorations, Castelhano integrates his passion for baseball into his teaching methods, incorporating statistics and baseball cards into math lessons to engage students and help them grasp concepts like percentages and averages.
While this school year marks Castelhano’s first at Saint Marguerite D’Youville, he has utilized the “Blue Jays experience” for nearly twenty years to connect with his students, even organizing field trips to Jays games for previous classes.
Principal Alisha Gingerich praised Castelhano’s approach for fostering connections with sports enthusiasts among the student body, citing the positive impact on academic engagement and relationships. Castelhano’s dedication to the Blue Jays dates back to his own Grade 6 days, with a collection of memorabilia at home that surpasses what is displayed in his classroom.
Looking ahead to the American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers or Seattle Mariners, Castelhano remains optimistic about the Blue Jays’ prospects, highlighting the team’s potential and unpredictability. The upcoming home game at Toronto’s Rogers Centre on October 12 is anticipated with excitement as the team vies for a spot in the World Series.
