Mauler tackles teaching job

By Ben Lance

lanc0081@algonquincollege.com

Jeff Mauler, from the popular Ottawa radio station the New Hot 89.9, returns to Algonquin 15 years after graduating. And he’s ready to show some future announcers what it takes to be a disc jockey.

When Ian Barrie retired, the program needed a teacher to take on the performance arts class. “Jeff Mauler has always been very supportive - volunteering as a guest speaker and let us know that he was also interested in teaching,” said Don Crockford, program co-ordinator of radio broadcasting.  “We thought of him immediately when the position became open.”    Mauler teaches class on Wednesdays, prepping his class Tuesday like most teachers.  He prepares audio examples for the students, writes quizzes and arranges for guest speakers.  Unlike most teachers, Mauler gets up at an ungodly hour and doesn’t even drink coffee. “Jeff brings real world experience to the classroom every day,” Crockford said. “He's coming to Algonquin to teach an announcing class after being up since four a.m. and performing on a high-energy morning show.”

Mauler is the man of no vices.  He doesn’t drink alcohol, coffee, or use recreational drugs. But he admits to enjoying the smell of a certain botanical variety - he’s a testament to the age old college ritual of needing money for food and clothing rather than partying.

Mauler doesn’t just do it for the kicks and a paycheque though. “I look at it as something to enhance my professional career,” Mauler said.   He really enjoys teaching, “I’d do it for free, but the paycheque is nice.”

Mauler remembers his time at Algonquin with fond visions of sleeping on the sound studio’s floor and his on air show ‘what’s for dinner.’  It was a show where Mauler called his mom, and they talked about, well, what’s for dinner.

“Jeff always had a very positive attitude,” Crockford said.  “It was clear when Jeff was a first year student in our radio broadcasting program that he would go far. He was a natural for the radio industry."

Learning to teach was a difficulty for the first time teacher and Mauler explained that he may have “been a little too generous.”  But as long as he sees that effort was put into the work, he has no issues about giving them a decent mark.  His pride shows when talking about his students and he’s received more than he expected from his students.  “Blown away by the caliber,” said Mauler.

Cayle Campbell, a first year radio broadcasting student, described Mauler as “someone so well ingrained in the industry,” as well as an “awesome teacher.”   Campbell feels that Mauler really helps to develop his performance skills, and other students have a similar opinion.