New to PRHS, but familiar with the upbeat spirit of Bearcat sports, Mike Susank joins the Athletic Department as the new Assistant Principal of Athletics.
When hearing about the position opening in April of this year, Susank thought it would be a fun experience and a positive change from his previous job, Principal at Mission College Preparatory High School.
“I’ve always regarded the Paso Community and Paso High School as being kind of unique and special for a variety of reasons. I was super excited to interview for the job and felt very blessed to get the job,” Susank said. He applied for the job title in early May and received a job offer later that month. He was officially hired with the PRJUSD on his birthday, May 28.
Susank grew up in Downey, CA, a city located about twenty minutes from Los Angeles, where he attended a private all boys school where he played sports all throughout high school. He played three years of varsity track (ShotPut and Discus), and two years of varsity football. This then led him to later go to Claremont McKenna College in 1990 where he studied History and Literature.
As Susank decided that he wanted to go into the teaching profession, this led him to relocate to Bakersfield and stay there for 20 years with his wife and two kids. While he was in Bakersfield, he taught Social Studies at Garces Memorial High School, before receiving the opportunity to move to the Central Coast with his wife and kids. After he moved, he held the position of Principal at MCP for the last nine years.
Susank was compelled to the high school and sports environment as he wanted to make a similar impact on students that he received when he was in high school.
“I wanted to be part of the system that affects kids the way that I was positively affected and that’s why I’ve stayed in education. I feel like it’s a place where you can make a difference and athletics specifically is one of a couple of extracurricular areas where you have the potential to go from what is a good experience to an amazing experience,” Susank said.
As Susank continues his time at PRHS, he hopes to be part of that positive influence and push students to their fullest potential.
