50 years after leading Rockcliffe Senior Public School, former Principal Crawford Heritage returned to the building where his career flourished. This time, he was welcomed by his grandson, Ryan Heritage, the current Principal of TDSB’s Virtual Elementary School housed at the Rockcliffe site. Crawford was joined by his son and Ryan’s father, Kevin, making the day a true family celebration with three generations.  

Ryan invited his grandfather back for a special visit with staff, a gesture that celebrated both family and the enduring impact of leadership in public education. “My grandfather is proud of his work in the city of Toronto and often talks about his work stories,” said Ryan. “I thought it would be exciting for him to come back and share with the staff. It’s great for my team to hear the impact they are currently making from someone who spent years in the field.”  

The visit was filled with memorable moments. Crawford posed with his framed photo still hanging on the wall, sat in his old office, and toured the halls that remain much the same as when he first arrived in 1972. “The structure of the building is the same; the classrooms and halls brought back so many memories,” Crawford reflected. “It was quite different walking through the building without students in the school.” 

Virtual Elementary School staff greeted Crawford with balloons, a cake, and a heartfelt message on the school sign reading, “Welcome Back Principal Heritage.” He met with Superintendent Roni Felsen, answered questions from staff, and even addressed a virtual classroom, bringing his decades of experience full circle in today’s digital learning environment. “Teachers loved the stories and asked me to come back for more,” Crawford told us. “It is a day I will always remember.”  

For Ryan, the visit was a powerful reminder of the values that shaped his career in education. “My grandfather has inspired many people in the family to build their careers in education,” Ryan shared. “His dedication to building community and giving back inspires me to support communities in the city.”  

Education has always been a family tradition for Crawford and his loved ones. Two of his daughters became Vice-Principals, and his son retired from TDSB as the Curriculum Leader of Mathematics at Woburn Collegiate Institute. Crawford’s advice for today’s school leaders remains timeless: “Get out of the office and into the classrooms. Show students and teachers that you support the program being taught.”  

As the day ended, Crawford left smiling, grateful for the chance to revisit the school where his leadership journey began, and proud to see that legacy continued through his grandson.