Laurier to host public talk and book signing with Degrassi co-creator Linda Schuyler

March 1, 2023
For Immediate Release

Brantford – An upcoming talk at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus will bring Linda Schuyler back to where her multi-decade Degrassi media phenomenon began: the classroom. Schuyler (C.M., O. Ont., Hon. LLD ’15) CEO, Skystone Media Inc. is the co-creator and executive producer of the groundbreaking Degrassi franchise, which has its roots in the short film, Ida Makes a Movie, a project she undertook while working as a teacher.

Schuyler chronicles the origins and evolution of Degrassi’s many iterations in a new book, The Mother of all Degrassi: A Memoir (ECW Press, 2022). She will share some of those stories at a public talk and book signing, hosted by Laurier Advancement and Laurier’s Faculty of Education. The event takes place on Tuesday, March 7 at 4:30p.m. in room 206 of the Carnegie Building, 73 George St., Brantford. All are welcome to register for and attend this free event.

“Linda Schuyler’s positive influence on how youth are portrayed in popular media has had a tremendous impact,” said Maria Cantalini-Williams, Laurier’s Dean of the Faculty of Education and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Social Work. “While Linda transitioned from the classroom to the film set in her career, she always remained a teacher at heart. Her work through the various Degrassi series has engendered awareness and empathy for the unique challenges adolescents face and allowed many young people to see themselves and their concerns reflected in an authentic way. Degrassi resonates with generations because of its authenticity. We look forward to hearing Linda share her stories and learn from her diverse experiences.”

Born in the United Kingdom and raised in Paris, Ontario, Schuyler was executive producer of over 500 episodes of the multi-award-winning Degrassi franchise, comprised of The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, School’s Out, Degrassi Talks, Degrassi: The Next Generation, and Degrassi: Next Class. Collectively the series have won numerous awards, including the prestigious Peabody Award, two International Emmys, over 25 Gemini Awards, two Prix Jeunesse International Awards, two Teen Choice Awards, and has been nominated four times for a Primetime Emmy Award.

Schuyler was a founding member of the Association for Media Literacy (AML), past Chair of the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), and served as vice chair of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA). She has been a member of WIFT-T, and Canadian Women in Communications and a volunteer for UNICEF, Big Sisters and Free The Children. With her husband and partner, Stephen Stohn, Schuyler embraces philanthropic work.

For more information on this event, visit the website.