MEET THE TEACHER by Sigrid Toye, Ph.D. Ms Toye is a former L.A. Unified School District teacher and has worked as an educational-behavior therapist in private practice since 1979.
SBJHS Science Teacher Mark Croshaw
O
n a fall afternoon, computer in hand, I entered the historic Santa Barbara Junior High School building (in operation for more than 84 years). As I headed in the direction of science teacher Mark Croshaw’s classroom, I imagined generations of kids scurrying down the hallways – books and papers in hand – on their way to becoming the future. Entering the classroom, chairs neatly placed on the desks, I was greeted by Croshaw and an 8th-grade reporter from the student newspaper, the Condor Press. As we sat down to chat, Croshaw opines, “This building is wonderful, isn’t it?” He posits that It represents history and tradition, and “provides the ideal canvas for teaching, the prefect background for everything the community of Santa Barbara stands for. “It’s our tradition that binds us all together,” he continues, “and keeps teachers and students, past and present, connected.” Croshaw notes approvingly that despite its age the junior high school building “continues to keep up with the times,” and refer-
FOR MEN & WOMEN 805•451•0489 CONTIGONAILS.COM
ences the renovation of the Marjorie Luke Theatre. The subject of tradition and teaching seemed an excellent entrée into Croshaw’s own journey, which began in his native Canada. Born in Lumsden, Saskatchewan, the son of an industrial arts teacher who influenced his life profoundly, Croshaw credits his father’s influence, more than his experience as a teacher, for the way he approaches his job. Mark says his dad gave his time to the community and that he was always available, “whether Lion’s Club, Boy Scouts, or sports. Most importantly,” he adds, “my father supported my interest in hockey. You know,” Croshaw says laughing, “every red-blooded Canadian boy wants to be in the NHL (National Hockey League), and I was no exception.” Croshaw began skating at the age of four, and joined a team when he turned six. “I loved the team concept,” he recounts, “loved being around a group of people being successful.” It’s a concept, he believes, that feeds directly
into teaching: “supporting one another with an idea and working together to make it happen.” Croshaw, though athletic, never made it to the NHL, but he was a good student in high school, so tutored his friends in science, math, and English until graduation. “I suppose,” he says, “it’s why I chose to major in Education at college, it seemed the most obvious and natural course to take.” He majored in both science and math, and physical education and art.
Tramping Around Europe
His main interest – science and the natural world – developed because, he believes, he grew up on a farm. “This was my mom’s heritage and her gift to me,” he surmises, “watching things being born, observing the life cycle, and being close to nature.” After graduation from college, his formal education behind him, Croshaw took a year off to experience the world. “You wouldn’t have recognized me during that period,” Croshaw chuckles. Probably not, as he says he grew a beard – a goatee really – lived out of his backpack and “tramped around Europe” with his guitar. “Think about it,”’ he marvels, “I was in East Berlin before the wall fell down and saw the bullet holes piercing [the buildings].” Meeting people and traveling gave him the first-hand experience of how others lived both in the present and the past. He visited Versailles in France, opening another unfamiliar door as he imagined Marie Antoinette wandering about in her palace and sculpted gardens. Upon his return home to Canada, however, real life stood at the doorstep. Croshaw’s teaching career began at the Melville Comprehensive School in Saskatchewan, where he remained for seven years teaching middleand upper-school students. The staff embraced the “newbie” with open arms, “I still know their names and the inside of their kitchens,” he quips, “and those friendships will never be gone.” After a number of years teaching, Croshaw was tapped for a oneyear faculty exchange with a school in London.
Mark Croshaw has been teaching science at SBJHS for 23 years
The contrast between the compliant students in Canada and the kids in London came as a shock. “Peckham was the absolute worst kind of school – all boys, they mugged, fought, acted out in every possible way... you name it. The experience taught me to handle almost anything.” While in London, Croshaw met Sue Bakker, an American girl. “Within a couple of months, I knew that Sue was definitely the one for me,” he says. Geographic differences existed: Sue was to return to Santa Barbara, and he to Canada and the Melville School. After a year, they agreed on a family wedding in Santa Barbara and made the city their home. Shortly afterward, Croshaw obtained his present position at Santa Barbara Junior High. “That I was hired on the spot by the former principal, John Mendose, was a total coincidence of fate,” he says, speculating that he was just “at the right place at the right time.” In 23 years, Croshaw has experienced several administrations, “I’ve enjoyed each one and learned a lot: Susan Salcedo, Jerry Faucett, John Becchio, and Lito Garcia. And I love this staff,” he says, “they’re like family to me. Think about it: my kids were taught by some of these teachers, and now I am teaching their kids – two of them are in my class now.” In his spare time, Croshaw coaches-referees hockey, his beloved sport, at the newly built Ice in Paradise skating rink in Goleta. Both he and Sue, their children, Hannah, 19, and Martin, 17, are involved in a variety of sports. The family’s relationship with the First Presbyterian Church has been an important component of their lives. “It’s been a wonderful home for us,” Croshaw says, concluding that “everything comes down to relationships; this is what makes the world work. And like my dad, I’m available.” •MJ
FULL SERVICE MAINTENANCE & REPAIR Established 1978
Muller & Go s s
Locally Owned
IMPORT AUTO REPAIR Specializing In
Mercedes • BMW•Audi Rolls Royce• Mini•VW
962-1613
www.mullerandgoss.com
38 MONTECITO JOURNAL
• The Voice of the Village •
424 N. Quarantina Santa Barbara, CA
3 – 10 November 2016