Location Bakersfield, California, United States Regions West Coast, Western US Gender Male
Website markgbalch.com/ Facebook View on Facebook LinkedIn View on LinkedIn
Mark Balch is an experienced high school administrator with 29 years in education, 23 of which have been in leadership roles. Throughout his career, he has worked at both the school site and district levels, focusing on student well-being, academic success, and social-emotional growth. His leadership emphasizes community engagement and
instructional improvements to foster positive change in education.
In 2023, Mark became the Director of New Teacher and Migrant Support in the Kern High School District (KHSD) in Bakersfield, California. KHSD is the largest K-12 district in the state, serving over 43,000 students. Mark has played a key role in improving support systems for new teachers and migrant families, significantly impacting the district.
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 background reflects his commitment to professional growth and continuous learning.
Throughout his time with KHSD, Mark has led initiatives that benefit students and educators. Under his leadership, the Kern High Teacher Residency program grew significantly, providing new teachers with essential mentorship. The Kern High Induction Program achieved full certification for seven years, and the Migrant Support Program boasted a graduation rate of over 98%. Mark has also managed large budgets and secured millions of dollars in funding to support these programs.
Before serving as Director, Mark was the principal at North High School in Bakersfield. During his nearly eight years in this role, he implemented career-based pathways, including one of the state’s first high school aviation programs. He also built strong partnerships with community leaders to address the challenges of a high-poverty area. In 2022, his work earned him a Platinum Award from the California PBIS Commission for promoting a positive school culture.
Mark also served as Instructional Services Director for KHSD, overseeing professional development and instructional design. His earlier career included roles as Assistant Principal at East Bakersfield High School and West High School.
Mark Balch is also actively involved in his community, volunteering with City Serve Bakersfield to support migrant families and serving on leadership teams at Canyon Hills Assembly of God. His dedication to education and community inspires positive change, and his leadership makes a lasting difference in education.
