IDEA Hidden Meadow

My circuitous journey in education started as social studies teacher in the Rio Grande Valley, coaching varsity baseball for four years @ PSJA ISD via Teach For America. After getting married to my wife Michelle (also a teacher) and having our first child, we moved to Massachusetts where I earned a Master’s in school leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education. I then moved back to my home in Seattle as a middle school Asst Principal and elementary. My elementary was the recipient of the Washington Achievement Award for overall academic excellence and in my final year, grades 3-6 scholars performed at 94/84/53 (Level 2/3/4) on ELA and 95/84/54 overall on the 2017 Math Smarter Balanced assessment. Following the birth of our twin boys, we brought our family back to Texas: San Antonio! Last year at IDEA Judson I learned under the tutelage of Hope Williams where I coached writing and K-2 reading. At Judson, I led the team to the writing distinction and 2nd grade reading to 94% of scholars on grade level. This year at Carver Academy under the leadership of Guadalupe Diaz, managing first and second grade, I am on track to hit all of my goals. I am the proud parent of three IDEA scholars and I look forward to establishing a powerhouse A-Rated IDEA campus with a rigorous, joyful culture of student achievement that serves all students.

Prior to joining IDEA Public Schools, Mark worked for Corpus Christi ISD as a 6th and 7th grade Science Teacher. His passion for creating strong learning environment was evident as he was selected as a district-level model teacher for classroom management. Mark joined the IDEA team and family in 2011, serving as the 7th grade Science Teacher and Grade Team Leader at IDEA College Prep Alamo. Mark worked diligently to increase scholar achievement and the effectiveness of his team, earning Teacher-Leader of the Year for 2011-12. Through the development of IDEA’s leadership team, Mark became the Middle School Assistant Principal of Instruction, serving as the instructional coach for Science and Humanities. In 2014, Mark and his family moved to Idaho, but his dedication to closing the achievement gap in Texas remained his passion, resulting in Mark working remotely to support district Academic Counselors and also managing the 21st Century After School programming grant for 29 campuses in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. Through this work, more than 7,000 scholars gained access to high-level K-12 enrichment programming like mariachi, dance, theater, and creative arts. Moving back to Texas in 2018, Mark was eager to get back to serving scholars and families on campus and become a San Antonio Principal-in-Residence at IDEA Najim College Prep and IDEA South Flores College Prep. Through his work at both campuses, Mark worked relentlessly with the Math, Science, and Advanced Placement teams to close the achievement gap for all scholars. Mark is excited to be the Founding Principal at IDEA Hidden Meadow College Prep and is eager to build Hawk traditions together with scholars, family, and staff!