tech to achieve feature imageHere at Best Buy, we’re all about providing our customers with the tools they need to keep on growing, helping them pursue their passions and enrich their lives with the help of technology. But we also recognize that in addition to the right tools, we also need the right people in our lives to guide us, teach us, and help us reach that next level in our development.

For Back to School this year, we want to celebrate those people, those teachers who faced a year of unexpected challenges and adapted to them, arming themselves with the right tech to keep teaching so that we can all keep learning.

To do so, we partnered with two prominent content creators: multidisciplinary designer Will Selviz and visual storyteller Tyler Stalman. Check out the videos below to see how we helped each of them reconnect with an influential mentor, while giving them tech and tools to fully show their appreciation to people who’ve made a huge impact in their lives.

Will Selviz, Multi-Dimensional Designer from Toronto, thanks an influential mentor who helped with his career development and discusses the value of paying it forward as a mentor himself.

microsoft surface proWill was a co-facilitator for a program led by Jessica Yamoah, Founder and CEO of INNOVATE INC. The program gives youth access to professionals and corporate settings to raise awareness about career paths in business, innovation, and technology. Karl was one of the youth who participated in the program, and as a result Will mentors him today. Will’s organization: RENRD FOUNDATION is focused on digital design. They collaborate with Jessica, other industry leaders, and organizations who support their work to provide mentorship, direct access to industry standard equipment, and culturally diverse programming.

In the video, Will discusses how creating 3-D animations and other 3-D work requires special equipment and he knows he can count on Best Buy to have the technology he needs, like many Microsoft technologies he showed in the video including the Microsoft Surface Pro.

Tyler Stalman from Calgary thanks the high school teacher who encouraged his creativity and interest in video production

sony zv1 vlogging cameraTyler showed several devices that are ideal for anyone learning or teaching video production. These include the ideal vlogging companion, a Sony Cyber-shot ZV-1 Digital Camera; the compact and light Deity D4 DUO Microphone for crystal clear audio indoors and outdoors; a Manfrotto Beefree Live Aluminum tripod and Zhiyun Weebill-S gimbal stabilizer, two products essential for high resolutions still and smooth and steady video footage; and to store the footage and enable fast data transfer to a computer for processing, a Lexar Professional 128GB memory card.

Who inspired you to learn

Having the right tech while learning is very important; but we also need to meet wonderful teachers and mentors along our educational journey. We all have a story to tell of one or more teachers who elevated our learning or inspired us. I can think of several in my life, and I also have one teacher from when my children were in school: their grade 3 teacher, Mr. Bonenfant, inspired me to be a better parent with his amazing teaching style and patience. Let us know about the tech you think is essential for learning and who inspired you. Enter below and nominate one teacher or mentor for a chance for you or the person you nominate to win a $750 Best Buy gift certificate.

How to enter

Entering this contest is easy and you can enter once for yourself and once for someone you know:

  1. Leave a comment below this article and tell us the first name of a mentor who helped you learn and what tech available at Best Buy do you consider to be essential for students going back to school
  2. Send an email to “bestbuyblog@bestbuycanada.ca“ AND CC a teacher or mentor so they are aware that you entered them in this contest. In the subject line put: “What tech will help you achieve contest” and in the body of the email tell us which teacher or mentor you are nominating to win this contest and why.

NOTE: do not put your teacher or mentor’s last name or personal email in the comments below; they should only be mentioned in the email.

What you can win

At the end of this contest we will randomly select one winner from all comments left on the blog article for this contest (French and English) AND randomly select two winners from all nominations sent via email so the person nominated can win the prize. Each winner will receive a Best Buy Canada Gift Certificate worth $750.

This contest runs from August 30th until September 30th.

Remember you can enter once for yourself in a blog comment AND once for a teacher or mentor who inspired you in an email as mentioned above.

What will tech help us achieve Contest Rules and Regulations

Good Luck

Martin Renaud
Martin Renaud
Editor in Chief
Martin loves working with the talented editors and writers on the Best Buy Blog as Editor-in-Chief. During his spare time he is either working on his next novel, cooking up a masterpiece in the kitchen, or adding some smart tech to his new home on Mayne Island in British Columbia.
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687 COMMENTS

  2. My mentor at business college was Mrs. M. She constantly provided feedback and encouragement with regard to my studies. She was instrumental in nominating me for an apprentice position in an accounting office when I graduated. My choice for a back to school essential would be the “Acer Porsche Design laptop”. It’s the total package.

  3. I learned by taking lessons at the library – I think his name was Devon
    A new Laptop – HP Elitebook 840 G3 14″ Touchscreen

  4. I am old and pre-tech most things. My ‘mentor’ is my grandson who happily teaches me new ‘tricks’ (one a day!) plus how to game! LOL. Laptop is a definite need in my grandson’s life as he is doing on-line school this year.

  6. The mentor who helped learn was Elizabeth. The tech available at Best Buy that I consider to be essential for students going back to school is the Apple MacBook Air because it is light yet supercharged.

  7. I didn’t like her but my first grade 6 teacher- Hilda – taught me valuable lessons. RZ-S5000W In-Ear Noise Cancelling Truly Wireless Headphones for the home schooled

  8. My mentor was Jan who was always there to help out with any computer or software issues
    Today most students need a laptop or MacBook

  9. Marg still helps me learn every day. She is smart and loves to teach and be around children.

    HP Elitebook 840 G3 14″ Touchscreen laptop would be an essential tool for a successful school year.

  10. My Papa Karlmann inspired me to excel in school. A laptop is now essential for students, such as the Microsoft Surface Pro.

  11. One of my college professors, Roger, was a great mentor to me. I learned to much from him and his classes. Every student needs a laptop for school these days.

  12. Mentor, one of my neighbours that taught me to to bake and share that with others. Definitely a Laptop is the #1 need to going back to school.

  13. My mentor Jason helped me learn how to build a new website for my business. Essential tech for the kids going back is a decent pair of earphones and an up to date laptop!

  15. my mentor was my grand mother. her name was mary jane. she taught me to love myself and that there wasn’t anything i could not do if i put my mind into it. to always give my best.

  16. My mentor was an amazing and generous man named Fred.
    I think the technology available at BestBuy to help students learn at the latest laptops with Intel i7 processors.

  17. My niece inspires me. She is a single parent of 3 who home schooled her children last year AND finished a university degree online herself. She’d really use a new laptop.

  18. My high school math teacher from years back. We still keep in touch. A laptop is essential for back to school, especially with the unknowns of the school year thus far

  20. My mentor would be my grandma. Although she passed when I was in high school, she helped instill a sense of pride and academic accomplishment in me. She was always there to help.
    Nowadays, a Chromebook seems to be the most essential tech product needed in school.

  21. Greg, our IT guru always kept me in the loop. Students need home access to hi-speed internet to get an education these days.

  25. Best boss ever, John, who showed how to prioritize and accomplish more in less time. A laptop from Best Buy is number one on my list….. my current is slowly becoming a paper weight.

  26. My husband always encouraged me to learn and supported me during my CPA courses. I think the Microsoft Surface Pro is an essential back to school item

  28. my fifth grade teacher Mr L. let me spend extra time playing in the computer lab.

    i think an ipad is essential b2s gear

  32. Maureen is someone who helped me a lot in certain courses and put me in the right mindset to succeed and work effectively.
    I think the Roku Express 4K Media Streamer with Remote is essential for students because they need to realize when to relax and take a break!

  36. My mom Marilyn. I think a laptop is an essential tool for back to school, The Microsoft Surface Pro would be a great choice

  45. My mentor is my wife Jo. She has a masters degree in a field different from mine and I’m always learning from her.

    I’d consider a good laptop like an LG Gram essential for going back to school.

  46. Mr. Ramit is name of the mentor who helped me learn. Microsoft Surface Pro I consider to be essential for students going back to school.

  47. Gorettie was a great mentor to me whenever I needed some advice in life! A new Laptop would be essential for students going back to school!

  48. My mentor Wayne taught me a lot over the years. A great laptop, such as the MSI GP76 Leopard 17.3″ Gaming Laptop would be essential for going back to school.

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