Open To Work
Mark Kerr
Bellingham,WA
Work Preference
Summary
Enthusiastic and creative individual with solid understanding of student development and learning styles. Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills and connects with students from diverse backgrounds. Experienced developing engaging lesson plans and assessments to measure student progress.
Overview
1
1
Certification
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Lummi Nation High
Bellingham, WA
01.2022 - 01.2025
- Advised students using the Futures NW curriculum, focusing on career and college readiness.
- Created a credit retrieval course, using mini-lesson on study skills and success behaviors. Used modules in Schoology for make-up work with over 80% of students getting back on track for on-time graduation.
- Created and taught year-long US History and World History courses. Created and taught Civics and Contemporary World Problems courses for seniors. Introduced a new student elective with WW2 Through Film and created a credit retrieval course for at-risk students. Used co-teaching model to support IEP students in various courses. Completed summer PLC work to decolonize our curriculum for indigenous learners. PLC leaders included Dr. Lexie Tom, Sam Tso and Sharon Kinsley. I continue that work each and every day.
- Contacts: Dr. Kevin Villars, principal (360) 255-3942 Dr. William (“Billy”) Hill, assistant principal (361) 549-0702
- Dr. Villars retired in June of 2025 and Dr. Hill is currently at-home taking care of a family member, they were both my evaluators at Lummi Nation School.
Sehome High
Bellingham, WA
01.1999 - 01.2022
- Created course completion contracts for underserved students with an 85% completion rate over 20 years.
- Worked on a district committee to create an Academic Workshop class with mini-lessons on career and college readiness. Worked with 11th and 12th graders for a decade, including advising students on college course options during high school for 8 years.
- Piloted and taught WCC Psychology 100 course for 15 years (College in the High School), while also advising students about Advanced Placement course work and Running Start options. My advising work guided students to the right-fit college credit challenges. Advised 30 to 45 students each year.
- Created and taught Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology and Introduction to Sociology courses for Sehome students. Added AP Psychology, offering Whatcom Community College credit through a state program for all psychology courses. Taught a modified version of IB Theory of Knowledge, while also teaching American History and World History. Also taught World Geography and an integrated English/Social Studies 9th grade course emphasizing critical thinking skills. Used the co-teaching model to support IEP students. Pandemic online/hybrid teaching was carried out via Teams.
- National Board Certification for Adolescence and Young Adults (Social Studies and History grades 4-12) 2006 (renewed 2016 and 2024).
- Contact: Michelle Kuss-Cybula, principal. Department Chair: Shannon Eubank.
Taipei American School
Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
01.1997 - 01.1999
- Taught seniors Theory of Knowledge curriculum. Over 2-years, test scores improved by 45% and 95% of students went on to Ivy League caliber schools.
- Taught Theory of Knowledge in the International Baccalaureate Program; increased course enrollment and raised diploma scores for candidates. Taught Western Studies to sophomores by emphasizing group work and peer evaluations while maintaining a focus on building writing skills. Assistant coach.
- Contact: Ed Ladd, principal.
Bainbridge High
Bainbridge Island, WA
01.1994 - 01.1997
- Helped expand the team-taught an American Studies program for juniors, and taught a Current Events/Civics course to seniors. Taught a literature based Social-Psychology course entitled Culture, Power and Society. Diversity Club Advisor, multicultural lead teacher and senior class advisor. Also advised students at regional and state History Day competitions.
- Contact: Dave Ellick, principal.
Bremerton High
Bremerton, WA
01.1989 - 01.1994
- Taught Washington State History and World Geography to ninth graders, American History to eleventh graders and created a Leadership Class for student government seniors. Created a student literary magazine, implemented a school wide recycling program, and coached state competitive teams in cross-country and track.
- Contact: Merri Rieger, principal.
Anacortes High
Anacortes, WA
01.1989 - 01.1989
- Student taught eleventh and twelfth grader American History and Civics courses. Successfully used a variety of teaching strategies and taught all courses for a majority of the semester.
Education
BA Ed - History, Social Studies
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA01-1989
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Kenyatta University
Nairobi, Kenya01-1987
BA - Philosophy
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA01-1986
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Tacoma Community College
Tacoma, WA01-1983
Skills
- Microsoft 365
- Microsoft Teams
- Canvas
- Skyward Student Platform
- NASIS Student Platform
- Google Workspace
- iReady
- Schoology
- SWIS (PBIS)
- Zoom
- Survey Monkey
- Ed Puzzle
Accomplishments
Curricular and Instructional Methods
Decolonizing curriculum for indigenous students. Advanced Placement Training: United States History (summer 2004), Advanced Placement Training: American Government/Comparative Government (summer 2003), International Baccalaureate Training: Psychology (summer 1998), International Baccalaureate Training: Theory of Knowledge/Philosophy (summer 1997). Other trainings include: SIOP, Socratic Method, Differentiated Instruction, Internet based research, ITIP, Skills Based Writing Programs, Cooperative Learning, Outcome Based Education, Portfolio Assessment, Community Service Programs, developed department/district goals for all courses at all schools.
Awards, Honors, Accomplishments
National Board Certification Adolescence and Young Adults (Social Studies and History) 2006 and renewed 2016 and 2025. Student Selected Graduation Speaker, Sehome High( 2004); Student Selected Teacher of the Year, Taipei American School (1998); Student Selected Co-Teacher of the Year, Bainbridge High (1997); National Endowment for the Humanities Seminar Grant-Native American Literature (summer 1995); Co-authored Leadership Curriculum for W.A.S.S.P., Building Leaders for Life (1991); Outstanding 1st Year Teacher for the state of Washington, Sallie Mae National Contest (1989-90); WWU: Schuler Scholar for academic achievement in history (1987-88); Philosophy Department Teaching Assistant (1985, 1987, 1988); Outstanding Graduate in Philosophy (1985).
Certification
- BA – Philosophy
- BA Ed – History
- National Board Certificate - Adolescence and Young Adulthood (Social Studies and History)
- Continuing Certificate with endorsements in Social Studies and History (grades 4-12)
Interests
Spending time with my wife Sharon and our daughters, Delaney and Ella Reading, trail running and listening to the music of John Coltrane
Timeline
Lummi Nation High
01.2022 - 01.2025
Sehome High
01.1999 - 01.2022
Taipei American School
01.1997 - 01.1999
Bainbridge High
01.1994 - 01.1997
Bremerton High
01.1989 - 01.1994
Anacortes High
01.1989 - 01.1989
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Tacoma Community College
BA - Philosophy
Western Washington University
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Kenyatta University
BA Ed - History, Social Studies
Western Washington University
Awards, Honors, Accomplishments
National Board Certification Adolescence and Young Adults (Social Studies and History) 2006 and renewed 2016 and 2025., Student Selected Graduation Speaker, Sehome High (2004); Student Selected Teacher of the Year, Taipei American School (1998); Student Selected Co-Teacher of the Year, Bainbridge High (1997); National Endowment for the Humanities Seminar Grant-Native American Literature (summer 1995); Co-authored Leadership Curriculum for W.A.S.S.P., Building Leaders for Life (1991); Outstanding 1st Year Teacher for the state of Washington, Sallie Mae National Contest (1989-90); WWU: Schuler Scholar for academic achievement in history (1987-88); Philosophy Department Teaching Assistant (1985, 1987, 1988); Outstanding Graduate in Philosophy (1985).
Curricular and Instructional Methods
Decolonizing curriculum for indigenous students. Advanced Placement Training: United States History (summer 2004), Advanced Placement Training: American Government/Comparative Government (summer 2003), International Baccalaureate Training: Psychology (summer 1998), International Baccalaureate Training: Theory of Knowledge/Philosophy (summer 1997). Other training includes: SIOP, Socratic Method, Differentiated Instruction, Internet based research, ITIP, Skills Based Writing Programs, Cooperative Learning, Outcome Based Education, Portfolio Assessment, Community Service Programs, developed department/district goals for all courses at all schools.