About the Teacher
Mark's role as an independent study teacher with the California Innovative Career Academy is his first experience working in education. Mark was drawn to CICA's mission to achieve social justice, provide access to education, and facilitate the pathway to employment in the 21st century so that others can create generational change, and live a fulfilling and prosperous life. Prior to working with CICA, Mark had a 10 year career with the Department of Defense both in and out of uniform providing direct support to overseas operations in Afghanistan and Syria. Mark completed his bachelors in political science with Arizona State University, where he also pursued a masters in political psychology.
Hobbies and Interests
Mark is an avid reader, believing in the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. He believes that all humans are capable of developing and expanding their cognitive faculties, shifting their mindset, and changing the way that they perceive and interact with the world, leading to improved decision-making and improved outcomes. Mark's topics of interest include psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and geopolitics.
Mark is also passionate about health and fitness. He believes that a strong mind and body are essential to living a well rounded life. He trains and competes as an amatuer fighter in Muay Thai. He trained and competed in mixed martial arts before switching over to Muay Thai exclusively.
Other hobbies and interests include spending time with those closest to him, spending time in nature, spending time in meditation, writing and journaling, taking opportunities to travel, listening to live music, enjoying food, and a cup of coffee.
To be self-disciplined is to be a disciple of the self. Once you truly know yourself, through willingness to apply effort and learn, you can grow and overcome any challenge that stands before you. Our greatest power as humans is to apply our will in making reasoned choices. Regardless of the external circumstances, you have the power to choose how you think about and how you respond to them.
“I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think”
―
―
