New TVO series brings together former Milton teacher and student

A former Milton student looking for a former Milton teacher is one of the feature episodes of a new TVO original series.

Yearbook is a six-part documentary series that premieres next week on the Ontario public broadcaster.

“Yearbook opens a window into powerful and relatable stories that will resonate with many in Ontario and beyond,” said John Ferri, vice-president of programming and content at TVO. “Nostalgia meets reality in some surprising ways, taking us far beyond the idea of friendship as defined by the likes of Facebook.”

The second episode takes a look at Gary Colling, 50, who is trying to find Dave Davis, 75, the special education teacher who, for a couple of years in the late 1970s in Milton, was one of the only people who believed Colling could overcome his learning disabilities.

Although Davis only taught Colling for a few years at Martin Street Public School, he stayed an influential figure in his student’s life until the end of high school.

Colling has been looking for his former teacher for years, hoping to say thank you for everything he did to support him, and let him know that he changed the course of his life.

The series, narrated by Paula Brancati from Degrassi; The Next Generation, follows the meaningful and nostalgic journeys back to people’s youth as they attempt attempt to reconnect with others who had an impact on them.

“Everyone has a story from their school years that they never resolved,” said executive producer Mark Johnston. “This is a show about all of us, and the events that shaped our lives. What if we could find the person who we always wanted to see again, the person who may have wronged us, or inspired us? The person, though, we could never find.”

Yearbook also includes interviews with social workers, counsellors, therapists, and other experts who provide analysis of the circumstances experienced by each subject as they navigate their journey.

The series can be watched at 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 16, on TVO. They will also be available on Youtube.

Here’s a trailer for the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvHPVgvNx2U