Angela’s Story

Amanda: This is Ryerson Rewind — a podcast featuring alumni, sharing their fondest memories from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Angela: My name is Angela Glover, I graduated from RTA in 1994 and I’m currently a News Media Production Specialist at the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Journalism. I was the second class to graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University as a University. When I first started it was the Ryerson Polytechnic Institute and when I graduated it was the Ryerson Polytechnic University. I mean it's a little strange for me because there are times when I feel like I have never left the school obviously because I came back here to work. But I’ve had the privilege of watching Toronto Metropolitan University grow over the 24 years I’ve been here. Wow, 24 years. (laughing) Ya, it’s 24 years this fall. When I was here, this building, right here where we’re recording inside, the Allen Slate Radio Institute in the Rogers Communication Centre, this building was built in my second year of school. So I literally went from East Kerr, with reel to reel machines and turntables, and Bill Lawrance, still one of the best teachers I’ve ever had, to this building, which at the time was very modern. We had computers to edit on. I literally did that transition when I was  in school. I went from analog to digital during my time at RTA. WHich really, I think, helped me going forward in my work with the school of Journalism because learning the new stuff as it comes up, especially with how fast technology changes, all the different platforms that are now considered journalistic platforms, places that you know people go to for stories, it gave me a really good background to be able to say “Oh ya, sure we can figure that out!” (laughing) You know I keep pushing forward, what's the next thing we need to learn now. It’s never stagnant, we’re always growing. And I think that’s true for Toronto Metropolitan University in general. When I first started, it was, you know, radio with a little bit of TV and that was kind of it. And as things have grown as the technology has grown, as the industry has changed, now it’s everything. It’s multi-platform, you know it’s online, it’s podcasting which I love. But you know it’s funny. I had a student who came back to visit and we had gone out for a coffee and she was working at CBC and she said you know everytime I go in front of a microphone I hear your voice. (laughing) Which made me laugh and I’m like  “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing”. And she said “No, I always hear your voice telling me, slow down, relaxe”. She said I always remember all the tips you gave me. Which is one of the sweetest things, you know, that I’ve ever been told. So, it’s nice to know that, first of all their listening, second of all that it’s made a difference, that it’s made an impact that what I’m showing them or what I’m trying to help them learn. It’s very rewarding to see the ‘ah-ha’ moment. Particularly people that are technology shy and they’re the ones that try to hide, try to “no no no, you use the camera, no no, you push the record button. Right. So it’s particularly rewarding when you see those moments where they know they can do it on their own and their eyes light up and they're like “ Ah I get it!”. Love that moment! Because then I’ve done my job well. RIght, then I know that’s something they will take with them out into the world. I was very fortunate to have very good instructors when I was in RTA. So I had good examples of how to relate to students, I think before I ever had to start teaching. But I wouldn’t trade teaching for the world. Toronto Metropolitan University always wants to learn and grow and expand. And in a lot of ways for me it’s come full circle. Now my oldest daughter is at Toronto Metropolitan University. 

Amanda: This podcast is a production of the Ryerson University Alumni Association. I’m Amanda Cupido, a proud member of the board of directors, and the producer and editor of this podcast. For more stories like the one you just heard, visit torontomu.ca/alumni.