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Principal's Message

Greetings Bear Families,

I hope you are having a wonderful summer vacation.  I want to introduce myself as your new principal.  I am very excited about this opportunity to lead Bear Valley Middle School!  I look forward to getting to know everyone!  Meanwhile, I’ll share some information about myself. 

First of all, my name is Mark R. Garner.  I was born at Georgetown University Hospital on the 4th of July and grew up in the Washington, D.C. area.  I graduated from Gonzaga College High School in 1988.  I attended the University of Maryland (Go Terps!) and served with the Naval Reserves through the George Washington University NROTC until 1990.  I worked full-time for T.G.I. Friday’s in Greenbelt, Maryland from 1989-90 and California (Mission Valley, La Jolla, & Carmel Mountain Ranch) from 1990-97 to pay for college while supporting myself.  I moved to California in 1990 and received my Associate in Science Degree in Physical Science with Honors including two academic scholarships and a Certificate of Achievement in Physics from the San Diego City Community College District in 1992. 

My interest in pursuing a career in education began upon receiving my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in 1995.  While completing my degree, I completed coursework in Cognitive Science and Computer Science but it was the classes that earned me a minor in The Cultural Context of Teaching and Learning and serving as an elementary school teaching assistant that piqued my interest.  I became a substitute teacher while earning my Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential that included Special Preparation for Teaching Middle Level Students (grades 5-8), an emphasis in Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development, and Supplementary Authorizations in Mathematics and Science from California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) in 1997.  I was a teacher at Rincon Middle School for five years and served as a department chair until 2002. 

My pursuit of educational administration began while teaching at Rincon, where I had the opportunity to serve as a designee filling in for assistant principals.  I taught in Temecula for one year while completing my Administrative Services Credential in 2003.  I served as an assistant principal and summer school principal at Del Dios Middle School for three years while completing my Master’s degree in Educational Administration from CSUSM.  I was the principal of Juniper Elementary the past two years while completing three administrative training modules through the San Diego County Office of Education.  I plan to pursue my doctoral degree while serving the Bear Valley Middle School community.

My personal life – family is THE MOST important thing in the world to me.  I have been married to my amazing wife, Karen, a teacher, since 1999.  We have three wonderful boys, ages 3, 5 and 7.  We love to travel, play games and sports.  I am an avid sports fan (Go Chargers, Terps, Hoyas and Padres!)  Professionally, I have high expectations and believe in making decisions based on students’ best interests because their well-being, safety and academic success are our most important responsibilities as educators.  I have a strong work ethic and an open-door policy.  I will listen to your ideas and be supportive.  I know we’re going to have a great year and look forward to meeting and working with all of you!

Sincerely,
Mark R. Garner
Principal