Catching Up With... Mark Suckling: His Dream Job

Mark Suckling joined Crescent in 1986. He taught in the Lower and Middle Schools until his retirement in 2015.

Griffin Bush: What brought you to Crescent?

Mark Suckling: I grew up in Don Mills but started my teaching career in Fort McMurray, Alberta. I taught there for three years and, when my first daughter was born, we wanted to bring the family closer to home. I soon found myself back in Toronto working at Crescent. It was a dream job.

GB: What did you first teach when you arrived at the School?

MS: Crescent had just added a second Grade 6 class, so that was why I was hired. I taught math and science, and Dave Heaney taught English and social studies. Dave and I “team taught” the grade. He was an exceptional teacher, and I was fortunate to work with him.

GB: What were some of your fondest memories?

MS: I loved coaching. I coached basketball, cross country and track and field. The championships and athletes I had a chance to work with over the years were inspirational. The National CAIS Under 13 basketball tournament was always a focus for the year.

Teaching Grade 3 with David Graham —that was just a blast. David was such a creative guy, and he would have these fantastic ideas. For instance, we had an end-of-year sleepover in the gym for one of our Grade 3 classes. We had a campfire out back, camped overnight in the gym, and the next morning we had the kids cook breakfast. It was a fun event. Most of my best memories of Crescent come from working with outstanding people like David.

GB: You escorted students on several international trips. What value do you see in these types of experiences?

MS: A classroom outside of school provides new opportunities. It was evident that the outreach experiences further broadened the students’ views of the world and other cultures.

The trips had another impact on the students. I was fortunate to go along when Vince (Volpe) took a group of Grade 8s to Europe on a band trip. We were unsure how that age level would handle everything involved, but they were the

By Griffin Bush ’06

best. They were given many responsibilities, and they handled them beautifully. It was a great opportunity for the boys to experience personal growth.

GB: What’s keeping you busy these days?

MS: I like activity, and that includes a bit of travel. And I like having family around—that’s been really important to me. Both our daughters live in Toronto, and we try to get together often. As grandparents, we're on call a lot, and we’re helping out. One of my daughters just bought this older cottage near Killbear Provincial Park, and I’ve become the “maintenance guy.” I do anything that needs to get done —burning brush, simple electrical or plumbing work. There’s lots of physical labour involved as long as my joints and arms hold up.

GB: I’ve seen some photos of you with other faculty members. Who do you still keep in touch with?

MS: Stu Cumner and I ski together at Blue Mountain, and we did a birding trip to Pelee Island in May. Stu, Ian Fisher and I have gone winter camping. Last summer, a group of us—Ian, Greg Michalski, Geoff Green, and Jeff Adams ’94—went sea kayaking on Georgian Bay in the Killarney area. I enjoy golf games with Dave Budden. Rob Cranston lives close by, and we get out for walks.

GB: What advice do you have for alumni?

MS: Focus on your loved ones for sure. Family is really important. Maintain your friendships; maintain connections.