Matthew Fontaine: Instructor, Red River College Polytechnic

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“You can make a lot more working in the industry right now than teaching at the college,” he said. “This creates some real challenges getting the best people. Teaching may not be as physically demanding as most trades work, but it requires a lot of patience and determination to make sure each student has the tools they need to be successful.”

Local 73

When Matthew Fontaine was in high school, he took an aptitude test. It suggested he was most suited to become a preacher. Instead, he sold vacuums and batteries before becoming a full journeyman plumber.

“It wasn’t until I started teaching that I thought maybe the preacher thing wasn’t so far off,” he laughs. “I just love being up there in front of the classroom, passing on my knowledge and experience and bringing out the best in my students.”

For over a decade, Matthew has been an instructor in Red River’s plumbing and heating program, where those working in the industry can train as apprentices and eventually receive their journeyman accreditation.

“I’ve had students as young as 18 and as old as 69,” Matthew said. “Those who’ve worked in sheet metal and electrical for years have come back for twenty more weeks of training to get their gas Red Seal, which is what I’m teaching right now.”

Next year, RRC’s Apprenticeship program will be increasing both intake and classes, which Fontaine fears could lead to instructor shortages.

“You can make a lot more working in the industry right now than teaching at the college,” he said. “This creates some real challenges getting the best people. Teaching may not be as physically demanding as most trades work, but it requires a lot of patience and determination to make sure each student has the tools they need to be successful.”

During COVID, keeping students engaged and on track took all he had.

“I dragged out an old white board from my basement, hooked up a camera and just kept going. In the hands-on shop classes, we did our best to mask-up and keep our distance. I take off my hat to everyone trying to teach during that time,” he said.

Matthew’s knowledge of the challenges RRC instructors faced both during the pandemic and today extend beyond his own classroom – he’s also been a steward for the last twelve years.

“I showed up at a meeting when I was really new and kind of got volun-told,” he laughs. “But over the years, I’ve realized I’m kind of meant to do this work, too. Part of being a steward is being a sound board, a good listener. Most of the time I’m just hearing people out and hopefully, giving them some advice about how they might proceed. My motto is, ‘if you’re going to say it, do it. Walk the walk.’”