Mark Balch is an experienced high school administrator with 29 years in education, 23 of which have been spent in leadership roles. Throughout his career, he has worked at both the school site and district levels, focusing on promoting student well-being, academic success, and social-emotional growth. His leadership emphasizes community engagement and continuous improvement in instructional practices to ensure a positive and effective learning environment for all students. In 2023, Mark became the Director of New Teacher and Migrant Support for the Kern High School District (KHSD) in Bakersfield, California. KHSD is the largest K-12 district in the state, serving over 43,000 students. In this role, Mark has worked to strengthen support systems for new teachers and migrant families, ensuring they receive the necessary resources and guidance to succeed academically and socially. Mark G. Balch, Ed.D., holds a doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne, a master’s in Educational Administration from California State University, Bakersfield, and a bachelor’s in History from The Master's College in Newhall. His academic achievements have given him the skills to lead effectively and implement meaningful educational changes. During his time with KHSD, Mark has overseen the expansion of several key programs. Under his leadership, the Kern High Teacher Residency program grew substantially, becoming one of California's most extensive teacher residency programs. The Kern High Induction Program received full certification for seven years, and the Migrant Support Program achieved a graduation rate of over 98%. Mark has also managed multimillion-dollar budgets and secured grant funding to support these programs and ensure their sustainability. Before taking on the Director role, Mark served as the principal at North High School in Bakersfield. During his nearly eight years in this role, he developed career-based pathways, including one of the state's first high school aviation programs. His collaboration with community leaders to address challenges in a high-poverty area earned him a Platinum Award from the California PBIS Commission in 2022. Mark has also served as Instructional Services Director for KHSD and held roles as Assistant Principal at East Bakersfield High School and West High School. Outside of his professional work, he volunteers with City Serve Bakersfield and serves in leadership roles at Canyon Hills Assembly of God. Mark Balch’s dedication to education and community inspires those around him.