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TorontoVideo

P.K. Subban's sisters, Nastassia and Natasha, make their own mark

They may only be known to most people as NHL star P.K. Subban's sisters, but Nastassia and Natasha Subban are focused on blazing a trail of their own in an effort to give back to their community.

Strong-minded siblings following their dreams to help children

Subban sisters discuss growing up with hockey players

9 years ago
Duration 3:14
Nastassia and Natasha Subban talk about what it was like to live in a house with three competitive brothers.

They may onlybe knownto most people as NHL star P.K. Subban's sisters, butNastassia and Natasha Subbanare focused on blazing a trail of their own in an effortto give back to the community.

Along with brothers Malcolm and Jordan, who have also been drafted into theNational Hockey League, the two sisters are part of a Toronto family that strives to have an impact in their community.

Nastassia is the eldest. She's a teacher in the Jane and Finch area and helps out with the school's hot lunch program, providing nutritious meals to students who do not have one.

Initially, she wanted to help children and their parentsby working in family law, but quickly found that wasn't the job for her.

"Iwent to Old City Hall to do a field trip for law and Iwas like, 'ugh,this isn't for me at all,' because there was no interaction with the kids. It was just all paperwork," Nastassia told CBC News, adding that teaching was "a perfect fit."

Nastassia, left, and Natasha Subban are both teachers in Toronto, following the footsteps of their teaching father, Karl. (CBC)
Younger sister,Natasha, also went into teaching, and shares her expertise in art with her students atElmbankMiddle JuniorSchool.

"Ilove them, and you know what?It's very rewarding for me as a teacher because I just feel like if Ican come into a school and make a difference with one kid, or one student, whoever it is,then Iknow I've done my job,"Natashasaid.

Nastassiais alsoin charge of improving literacy at her school after tests showed students were struggling.

Nastassia is the eldest sibling in the Subban clan. She was a star basketball player growing up and now teaches at Westview Centennial Secondary School. (CBC)
"Kids are not reading. They're having a lot of difficulties in all subject areas because of the literacy issues. And Istrongly believe that if students are more literate, they'll be able to be more successful in all those classrooms," she said.

The sisters have followed their father, Karl, into the profession. He is a retired school principal who came to Canada from Jamaicaand taught in some of Toronto's most at-risk communities. He used to bring his young children with him to work during his career.

Maria, the mother of five,hails from the Caribbean country of Montserrat. The couple encouraged their children to focus on their own strengths.

Natasha is trying to make a difference in the Rexdale community by using her expertise in art to help engage students. (CBC)
The sistersalso played a key role in helping P.K. make his $10-million donation to the Montreal Children's Hospital in September, which was then described by the health-care facility as"the biggest philanthropic commitment by a sports figure in Canadian history."

But as great as P.K. may be in the eyes of many for his work on and off the ice, big sister Nastassia said he's no match for her on the basketball court.

"He said in an article that he beat me," Nastassia said with a laugh. "That is not true."
Karl, Maria and Nastassia were in the audience for the announcement of P.K. Subban's $10-million donation to the Montreal Children's Hospital in September. (CBC)

With files from Marivel Taruc