There’s a big difference between leaders who are skilled and leaders who are skilled to a level that influences student achievement.

My work with Mark aimed to elevate my knowledge about best practice in education and educational leadership, thus honing my skills as a school-based administrator in a turnaround school. The leadership development series ultimately helped me form and implement a clear vision and expectations for success.  

What I appreciated most about working with Mark was that he consistently challenged me as a leader and a learner to ‘stay hungry’. Those lessons in leadership remain the roadmap for my success.

Pamela Gamble
Elementary School Principal
Seminole County Public Schoolsl

The outcome of this effort resulted in unprecedented improved learning results for middle school students. For three consecutive years every SCPS middle school earned a grade of “A.”...It’s this kind of impact that Mark can bring to any district. 

The breadth of his experience and understanding of education from the macro-level of policy making to the micro-level of how learning occurs in the human brain is beyond anything I encountered during my professional career.  His ability to relate to and effectively communicate with every constituent group is also the best I have ever seen. (read more)

Dr. Ron Pinnell, Retired
Executive Director of Middle School Education 
Seminole County Public Schools
Chair Department of Education, Stetson University​

I was the principal of a struggling Title One school.  Learning from Mark enabled me to become a more effective instructional leader and the PD he provided my faculty assisted them in improving instruction.  It worked!  The next year our school earned an “A” (as defined by the state of Florida) for the first time ever!

...he constantly challenges me in ways no other educator ever has.  Every time I leave one of his sessions I feel inspired and anxious to share what I have learned.  (read more)

DJ Wright​, Retired
Director of School Accountability
Leon County School

Mark was contracted to support our lowest performing, highest at-risk elementary school as part of their turnaround plan. The school had been a “D” for three out of the four previous years. With the guidance, training and leadership provided by him, the school was graded a “B” the following year...  (read more)

Anna-Marie Cote, Ed.D.
Deputy Superintendent
Instructional Excellence and Equity
Seminole County Public Schools

Working with Mark brought us opportunities to focus and reflect not only on what is important, but what is most important—aligning our teaching with how people learn and holding ourselves accountable for this alignment. I personally experienced a paradigm shift away from teaching and toward learning, first as a teacher leader and again as an administrator. (read more)

Elizabeth Darcy
Middle School Assistant Principal
Seminole County Public Schools

Working with Mark was an enjoyable experience.  He used easy-to-remember techniques, modeled strategies and provided in-depth learning about effective teaching and ways to measure student learning...I credit Mark and the professional development he provided with enhancing my knowledge of quality teaching and increased student learning at my schools.  (read more)

​Debra Snyder
Educational Research School Principal

St. Lucie County Public Schools

Working with Mark the past several years has proved to be extremely valuable.  His training sessions are very logical, well thought out and dissect instructional practice in a powerful way. In the spirit of continuous improvement and the ongoing challenge of establishing inter-rater reliability, Mark truly delivers. 

Joe Trybus
High School Principal
Seminole County Public Schools

My work with Mark has been invaluable.  He has taught me how to affect change by being a sounding board and pushing me to grow in my own leadership.  I am forever thankful.  (read more)

Billy Millard
Elementary School Principal
Leon County Schools

I have worked with Mark for several years in Seminole County.  During that time he has inspired me to focus on what is most important as a school leader.  He is my "Cliff Notes" to educational research.  His experience and knowledge have guided me to be a great leader. Because of my training with Mark, I have the tools and wisdom to ensure that students are learning in the school that I lead.

Mrs. Sarah Mansur-Blythe
Middle School Principal
Seminole County Public Schools

Mark’s professional development sessions have been pivotal in my growth as an instructional leader. His expertise in the area of leadership and instructional practices are second to none. Mark has made a huge impact on me through engaging professional development sessions over the many years I worked with him.  His no-nonsense approach, experience in the profession, and depth of knowledge have truly molded me into the effective leader I am today.

Keaton Schreiner
Elementary Magnet School Principal
Seminole County Public Schools

Mark is a leader who can inspire and take us to the next level and then the next level and then the following level.  His expertise is enhanced by his ability to make us think.  Thinking is the operative word with our time spent with Mark. We are always focused on the instruction given because he wants us to get better and we are doing that by thinking at a higher level.

Every time I have had time with Mark I have walked away a better educator with something I am able to share with my peers.

Rik Gray
Social Studies Department 

Teacher and Chairman
St. Lucie District Teacher Leader
St . Lucie County Public Schools

I have been an administrator for 14 years.  Mark’s professional development sessions have had a bigger impact on my professional learning than any other in-service, program, or training that I have attended in my 14 years as an administrator.  Mark's approach not only makes you critically think and reflect, but he also challenges you to be a better administrator who is centered around improving student achievement. 

Over many years, Mark has taught me how to better use data to drive instruction, taught me traits of effective leadership, as well as single-handedly explained to me how to make our county’s teacher evaluation tool be about feedback and effective teaching with the thought of improving student achievement within the walls of a classroom.

Peter Gaffney
Elementary School Principal
Seminole County Public Schools​
Success in a Turnaround School