Welcome to Marc Soutra Writings!

For more than forty years, my life unfolded inside classrooms—rooms filled with chalk dust, questions, and the unforgettable faces of thousands of students who shaped me as much as I ever hoped to shape them. As I look back on my journey through the public school system—from the Vietnam era to the present—I’m struck by how deeply those years continue to resonate through my life today.

I spent 35 years teaching at a community college and several more at East Windsor High School in Connecticut. Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Native American Studies, United States History—each subject opened a different window into the human experience, and each classroom offered its own stories, challenges, and small miracles.

Along the way, I was honored with recognitions I never expected: the Harvard University Award for Innovations in Teaching History, the UCONN Award for Academic Excellence in the Teaching of Sociology, and a place as a finalist for Connecticut Teacher of the Year. But the real reward was always the same—the spark in a student’s eyes when something finally clicked.

In retirement, I’ve turned to writing to gather and share the stories, lessons, and moments that shaped my life. My memoir, The Crows of Bennett Road, is filled with the warmth, humor, and hard-won wisdom that only decades in education can provide. It’s a tribute to the teachers who give everything, the students who surprise us, and the ever-changing landscape of public education. I write to inspire and resonate with my readers.

If you have read my first publication, The Crows of Bennett Road, then I am excited to share its follow up, The Gulls of 9^th Avenue, a commentary on retirement from a lifetime career of teaching, will be published in March!

These days, when I’m not writing, you’ll often find me volunteering at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme, CT—a place where I continue to witness the transformative power of connection, patience, and compassion. I also cherish time on my boat and quiet moments with my family, who have supported every chapter of my journey.

This blog is part of that new chapter. Here, I’ll be offering stories, insights, reflections from a lifetime spent in the service of learning, talking about new works, and creating a community where I can interact with my readers.

Whether we are ones who inspire others or the ones who are inspired, we each carry our own stories and experiences. I would love to hear from you—a memory, a lesson, a question, or a experience. Share it down below in the comments! Thank you for being here. I’m so excited to share this next chapter with you!