Inspirational Saskatchewan teacher star of new WestJet ad
Bruce Farrer has sent thousands of former students their letters from years earlier
A now 35-year-old assignment from retired Saskatchewan teacher Bruce Farrer is getting the commercial treatment. We told you about his story this spring. Farrer asked his high school students to write a 10 page letter to their future selves. He promised to mail the letters back to the students in 20 years. And he kept his promise. Now, Canadian airline WestJet has featured his story in one of their new ads.
The ad campaign called 'Above and Beyond' features stories of Canadians who have done just that.
"More complimentary than I deserved," said Farrer. "Some very nice comments from students that I had never heard personally from them. All in all I was quite happy with it."
The film crew spent a few days following Farrer around. The crew even followed him to a school where he had been substituting for a couple of months. He retired from teaching in 2002 after a 40 year career. That was the last time he gave out his now famous assignment.
"The last box (of letters) is dated 2026, I'll be in my 80's. Hopefully still with it mentally and I'll be able to find the last few students," Farrer said.
So what is the lesson this teacher learned from his assignment after all these years?
"This so important to students, to your children, if you say you're going to do something follow through."
On mobile? Here's a link to the WestJet ad.
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