Alumni Spotlight
September 2022
Mark Constable – MHS Class of 69
Mark Constable's first connection to "Methacton" goes back more than sixty years. It began one day in 1960 when he and his father explored numerous concrete footers that had been poured near the high point area where Germantown Pike and Kriebel Mill Road meet. Officially, that location was the joint secondary school construction site for Lower Providence and Worcester Townships. The footers were the foundation for what would become “Methacton Junior-Senior High School”, and it was the beginning of Mark's long history of experiences with and for Methacton.
Mark said he still remembers the day during the 1960-61 school year when his Worcester Elementary School Principal, John Scholl, interrupted classes to make a special announcement over the school's PA system: “The results from community voters have been tabulated and the name of the new high school will be Methacton spelled M-E-T-H-A-C-T-O-N...a Native American word which means 'an evil or difficult to climb hill'. The school mascot will be a warrior and the school colors will be Dartmouth Green and white.”
Methacton's first graduating class was the class of 1964. Mark noted that year (the 1963-64 school year) brought about several other firsts for Methacton as well. He said, “Being built as a school for grades 7 through 12, it was the first year we actually had students who were in 7th through 12th grades. The football team won their first game ever. It was the first year that there was a senior prom and it was the first year Methacton had an official yearbook. It was also the first year that my classmates (MHS Class of 69) attended Methacton.”
While at Methacton, Mark was on the football, basketball and track and field teams. He was also a member of student council and class congress. He enjoyed serving on prom and banquet committees along with his participation in the Varsity M Club and the Track and Field Club. He noted how the first generation of Methacton teachers supported student activities and events. “The faculty members really supported student activities and our sports teams. They served as our coaches, sponsors and chaperones. They also attended performances and competitions to support our efforts and to let us know they cared.”
Many faculty members also participated during pep rallies and special events. “I can still see Mr. Bill Forsyth (biology) and Mr. Charlie Wisner (math) during a pep rally each leading their side of the gymnasium while trying to out cheer the other side. Faculty members would also dress up in funny outfits during faculty-student competitions and during the faculty follies assembly."
Mark said that he benefited greatly while being a student during Methacton's first generation. “Methacton was a brand-new, well-equipped school when we attended. I later learned from Mr. Vincent Farina (former Supervising Principal and Superintendent) how the faculty was put together to staff the new high school. There was a lot of thought and planning that went into the selection process. I really appreciated what Mr. Farina did for Methacton. I can also say that he had a positive influence on my experiences as a student, as an athlete, and as an educator at Methacton.”
After graduating from Methacton, Mark attended Bloomsburg University where he was a member of the Husky Football and Track and Field teams. He served as a member of the Student/Faculty Senate and the Inter-fraternity Council. He was also a Resident Advisor for men and a Fraternity House Manager. He majored in Social Sciences and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1973.
Mark returned to Methacton in 1973 to teach fourth grade at Audubon Elementary School. He also coached football at the high school. He became Methacton School District’s first Professional Development Coordinator in 1984. His role primarily included providing needs-based staff development opportunities and follow-up support for Methacton educators. He also created Methacton's continuing professional development plans and assessed progress. Mark recalled how beneficial it was for him to also be able to observe and learn from others while he was in his professional development role. Interestingly, at times, he was tasked with providing professional development for educators who had once taught him when he was in school at Methacton.
Mark credits Methacton's first generation of teachers along with his father (Joe Constable) and his uncle (Richard Constable), for helping to drive his love for teaching, coaching and professional development.
Today, you can often find Mark in the press box, on the field or in the gym during Methacton events. He enjoys spending time and riding bikes with his wife of 47 years, Nancy. He also enjoys reconnecting with former Methacton classmates, alumni and colleagues.
Although Mark retired from Methacton as an employee in 2008, he has never retired from his unofficial role as “Mr. Methacton”.
Superintendent's Alumni Spotlight
Email: information@methacton.org
Website: www.methacton.org/alumnispotlight
Location: 1001 Kriebel Mill Road, Collegeville, PA, USA
Phone: 610-489-5000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/methactonschooldistrict
Twitter: @methacton