Meet RTA School of Media's newest assistant professor
AJ Cordeiro will be joining the RTA School of Media as an assistant professor starting this semester. Cordeiro is originally from Montréal and was previously a media instructor for twelve years at Concordia University’s Department of Journalism,
Cordeiro holds a baccalaureate in political science, with a specialization in journalism from Concordia and later returned to complete a masters in digital innovation in journalism. With experience in freelance videography, podcast production, running live election broadcasts and creating sports-related content, Cordeiro said he’s excited for this next chapter with The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).
We asked AJ Cordeiro some questions to get to know RTA School of Media’s newest assistant professor a little bit better.
The following responses were edited for length.
How did you get your start in media and journalism?
My media work started with using my mom's home video camera and a cassette player for audio and video recordings. My interest in technology grew from elementary school through high school, where I started connecting various pieces of equipment on a budget of essentially zero. That led me to John Abbott College, where I completed the Media Arts program and became involved with the campus radio station, CSKY Radio. [...] It was also here that I met my partner, and we have been together ever since!
After earning my DEC, I moved to Concordia University, where I majored in Political Science with a Specialization in Journalism and graduated in Spring 2014. During my time there, I enjoyed working as a TA from my second year and continued in multiple courses each semester until I graduated. [...] That experience helped me appreciate the dedication of students and faculty and taught me how to navigate and resolve various challenges quickly, while also diffusing tension and anxiety.
After graduation, I worked briefly at a major telecom firm before the Chair of the Journalism Department invited me to return as an instructor. So, in Fall 2014, I found myself back at Concordia, now guiding students in mastering all the technical aspects of audio and video for journalism work. And because technical is editorial, I got to work closely with students on how to interview better, write tighter scripts, research what to include, and find the piece's focus/angle. [...] Because that’s how it is in journalism and especially in journalism education: there’s never enough time, never enough money, so it’s super important to be efficient with both, and to also pitch in and help where you can. Nobody gets to where they want to go alone.
What’s a moment in your career that you’re proud of?
I was one of the inaugural winners, alongside the amazing Rukhsar Ali, of the RTDNA CTV News Omar Sachedina Fellowship last year. It was such a surprise, and it was even better than expected! Being personally mentored by Omar showed me again what I've come to know about top-level people in any industry: they are usually passionate, thoughtful, curious, and inspiring, and are always eager to celebrate your achievements because they know just how hard it is!
Working on data analysis remotely in Montréal, all the way up to joining the CTV National News Team in Scarborough last March for a few days, it was engaging, impactful, and fun!
What’s an interesting fact about yourself?
I love plants! Especially the ones that are usually on clearance at IKEA, Canadian Tire, or wherever. Usually, those ones, if you can keep them going long enough, will produce the strongest clones, which I can then give to friends, family, colleagues, and students! And because they are so resilient, even those who say they haven't got a green thumb manage to keep them going!
I used to have plants around the old building I worked at, and if it's cool with folks here, I'll bring and maintain a few around the RCC!
What’s one thing you’re looking forward to in your new role?
The RTA School of Media is #1 in Canada, and it shows from the faculty, the staff, the resources, but most importantly, the students.
During the interview process, I had the chance to sit in on a 2nd-year production class as they planned coverage for a TMU Bold game. What I was blown away by was how knowledgeable, engaged, and enthusiastic the students were, and how they asked questions that I'd only see from very senior students or already working media producers. And this was after that very late night/early morning when the Jays and Dodgers went to 18 innings!
RTA and The Creative School here at TMU have an amazing legacy, and that is entirely student-based! I'm eager to be a small part of that ongoing story.
What do you hope to impart to students you’ll meet this year?
Four things:
There are a bunch of people with great ideas but zero ability to execute. Focus first on gaining your abilities and understanding, then worry about the ideas. You only get better by putting in your time, which gives you experience (read: learn from failure in a safe, supportive environment!).
Second, if you want to be creative, you need to know your technical skills. I've been able to secure a very lucky career because I've always been someone who could be relied on for both editorial/narrative and technical work, and that's because there are a lot more people who don't know their technical stuff.
Third, make it a habit to engage in continuous learning and practice by working on small, manageable projects that challenge your current skill level. Small steps lead to big things!
And lastly, you can be the most knowledgeable and experienced person in the world, but if you can't work with people, you won't work! Most people would rather work with someone they like and get along with, and it's no different in media production, education, or anything! We're social creatures, so don't forget to check in on yourself, your family and friends, and your colleagues. If you truly want to get the best out of yourself and others, showing that you care about them and the work goes a long way.
And finally, who are you grateful to for getting here?
I have been super lucky to have been mentored by my former professor and colleague, and CBC legend, Peter Downie. Beyond being the creator of Tapestry, a host of Midday, Man Alive, and many other CBC works, he was the person who made me feel like I could actually do any of this, whether it was journalism or education.
I'm also grateful to Dr. James McLean, my thesis supervisor, who has helped me better understand the world of academia and develop a passion for scholarship.
And lastly, I am forever grateful to Robin Della Corte. Beyond the kindness, support, and encouragement she's shown me over the years, as well sharing her professional expertise as a CTV National News journalist, she is a graduate of the MA in Media Production here at TMU, and was the one who first encouraged me to visit RTA and The Creative School when I came in November 2024 for the RTDNA awards. If I hadn't listened to her, I would be sitting here today, just over a year later, preparing my lesson plans and slides for my first class tomorrow at 8 AM.
And lastly, there is Val, my partner in life, who makes every day bright, because she is my sunshine.