Lance Supnet

By: Lance Supnet, Community Member

I walk the same halls I once did as a teenager, but now I’m the one at the front of the classroom. I teach at St. John Paul II Secondary School, or “Pope,” as we all still call it, the same high school I graduated from. It’s a full-circle moment for me. To come back to the same place that helped shape who I am and now get to inspire the next generation of Scarborough kids, that means everything.

I came to Scarborough when I was just six months old. My family immigrated from the Philippines and we settled near Morningside and Lawrence. I come from a big family as I am the youngest of five. I have two older brothers and two older sisters. We would spend a lot of time together in the neighbourhood. For me, living in Scarborough has taught me a lot, figuratively and literally. I went to elementary school here (St. Martin De Porres), high school here, and university here (UTSC). The only time I ever left was to do my master’s at U of T downtown. And every time I came back, the moment I hit Kennedy Station, I’d loosen up my shirt, take a breath, and think, “Yeah, I’m home.”

As a teacher, I don’t try to be the “cool” or “fun” one. I just try to be myself. I think students connect with authenticity; they can tell right away when someone’s being real with them. I want them to see that you can come from the same neighbourhood, the same background, and still make an impact. Before returning to Pope to teach, I had the opportunity to teach at several elementary schools in Scarborough, including St. Rose of Lima, Cardinal Leger, St. Malachy, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, and St. Martin De Porres. Going back to these schools means a lot to me, as it allows me to give back and make a positive impact in the very communities that shaped myself and many of my peers. It’s a meaningful way to stay connected to my roots and support the next generation.

A big part of how I connect with my students is through basketball. I coach, and for a lot of kids in Scarborough, basketball is more than just a game. It’s an outlet. It gives them something positive to focus on, keeps them off the streets, teaches teamwork, and builds confidence. It’s also part of who we are as a community. There’s so much talent and energy coming out of Scarborough; you see it in our schools, our parks, and now even with the Scarborough Shooting Stars. It’s something that brings people together.

Scarborough is full of people who work hard, lift each other up, and give back. That’s something I see every day, in my students, in their families, in my own. I have a lot of relatives who work at Scarborough Health Network; my cousins and even my Titas. Supporting SHN feels personal. It means a lot to represent them in a positive way and to see them get the kind of support and recognition they deserve.

For me, supporting SHN and the Love, Scarborough initiative comes down to equity, ensuring that everyone receives the care and opportunities they need. Whether it’s in education or healthcare, it’s about levelling the playing field. Everyone deserves access to great care, great teachers, great futures.

I’ve been a proud supporter of Love, Scarborough from day one. My closet’s full of merch; hoodies, tees, all of it, and I wear it proudly. For me, it’s more than a campaign; it’s a movement. It celebrates who we are as a community and shines a light on the people who make Scarborough what it is.

The staff at SHN are caring for our families, our friends, our neighbours; the people who make up the heartbeat of this place. Getting to be part of Love, Scarborough is one small way I can give back to them and to the community that raised me.

If I had to describe Scarborough in one word, it would be home. And I know it's a sentiment that many others share.