Boris Talpash loves spending his time with others. Whether it's a family member or a student or anything in between, Boris is always ready for a conversation and in this case, a joke or 12.
For the past nearly two decades, Talpash has been working within Mountain View School Division and he's shared hundreds of jokes and made hundreds of students and staff smile in the process. Talpash spent one year as a bus driver before he started working as a custodian at Gilbert Plains Elementary where he spent eight and a half years.
"I would always tell a joke before the kids got off the bus," said Talpash. "I wanted to make sure they had a smile on their face to start the day before they went into the classroom."
Now for the past nearly 10 years, Boris has been working at the Gilbert Plains Collegiate Institute. As the school year continues to draw to a close, so does Boris' time as a custodian at MVSD as Talpash is set to hang up his broom and mop and retire at the end of the current school year.
That tradition of telling a joke before the kids went into school while he was driving a bus has now carried into his time at GPCI as often, Talpash tells a joke over the school's intercom. On top of that, Boris is joined by another teacher every Friday and they go from room to room and tell a joke. Boris' saying is 'Come to GPCI for the jokes and stay for the education'.
While Boris will miss spending his time at the school telling jokes and keeping everything sparkly clean, he is grateful for the opportunity he was given nearly 20 years ago.
"I hope these kids can be as lucky as I have been over the years," said Talpash. "To not only have a job I like, but one that I love. I got to meet so many different amazing people over the years from around the world. It has been a great ride."
Boris said jokingly that he will be looking at his call display every day for the first six months in case the school is looking for a substitute. So while Boris won't be seen as often at the collegiate following this school year, he is getting a send-off.
Starting at 10:30 at the GPCI Gym on June 7, everyone is welcome to join in celebrating all of Boris' contributions.
You're also encouraged to bring a joke for the joke jar and plaid attire is encouraged as that was and still remains his go-to choice of attire. If you're unable to make it out, you can still send in a 10-second video by calling the school at 548-2551.
