Mark inadvertently began his career in education by taking a temporary job as a teacher’s assistant more than 30 years ago. He has been researching and developing innovative ways of teaching and learning ever since. Mark completed a Ph.D. in instructional design, development, and evaluation in 1995. He subsequently worked at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. After teaching at the university for a year, Mark felt a strong desire to develop, first-hand, the kinds of school environments he was encouraging his college students to find and create. In 1996, he moved his family to Michigan to start a new charter school in Traverse City (Woodland School). After 11 years at Woodland School, the last 9 years as its director, Mark was given the opportunity by the Venture Board of Directors in 2008 to return home to Utah to launch Venture Academy and serve as its founding director. He is honored to be working with a great staff and serving the families in the area.