Mark Balch
KHSD Director of New Teacher & Migrant Supports
Mark Balch has spent 29 years in education, with 23 of those years in various administrative roles. His work promotes student success, well-being, and academic achievement. Mark has significantly impacted educational outcomes and community involvement through his leadership, consistently striving to create environments where students and educators can excel.
Current Leadership in Kern High School District
In 2023, Mark assumed the role of Director of New Teacher and Migrant Support in the Kern High School District (KHSD) in Bakersfield, California. Serving over 43,000 students, KHSD is the largest K-12 district in California. In this position, Mark oversees programs that support new teachers and migrant students, ensuring they have the resources and guidance needed for success. His leadership drives positive change within the district, helping students and educators achieve their full potential.
Educational Foundation and Early Career
Mark 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 degree in History from The Master’s College in Newhall. His strong academic foundation has played a vital role in shaping his leadership in education. Before transitioning into administrative roles, Mark taught at Highland High School and Fruitvale Junior High School, gaining firsthand experience in the classroom.
Impact at KHSD: Teacher and Student Support
As Director of New Teacher and Migrant Support, Mark has overseen expanding the Kern High Teacher Residency program, a partnership with CSU Bakersfield. Under his leadership, the program grew to include 40 teachers and 40 mentors by the 2024-2025 school year, making it one of California's most extensive teacher residency programs. This expansion highlights Mark's ability to create robust teacher development opportunities that benefit new educators and their students.
Mark’s work with migrant students has also been notable. His leadership in the Migrant Support program has contributed to a graduation rate of over 98%. The program serves over 200 students and families through biweekly Saturday academies, helping them overcome educational barriers and succeed. Mark’s focus on supporting migrant families has had a lasting impact on their academic journeys and well-being.
Leadership Experience at North High School
Before his current role, Mark G. Balch, Ed.D., served as principal at North High School in Bakersfield, where he spent nearly eight years developing a career-based pathway program. This included launching one of California’s first high school aviation programs. Mark worked closely with community leaders, forging partnerships to provide more opportunities for students in a high-poverty area.
Under his leadership, North High School implemented data-driven decision-making, earning the school a Platinum Award from the California Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Commission in 2022. Mark’s work earned him the 2018 Regional Star Administrator award from the California Future Farmers of America (FFA), recognizing his commitment to educational excellence.
Instructional Services Leadership
Mark also served as Instructional Services Director at KHSD from 2011 to 2015. In this role, he developed district-wide training for assistant principals and aligned instructional practices across schools. Mark focused on improving the reclassification rate for English Learners, achieving a 12% increase. He also expanded the AVID program, which helps prepare students for higher education and career success.
Community Involvement and Volunteerism
Mark has dedicated much of his time to community service outside his professional responsibilities. For the past seven years, he has volunteered with City Serve Bakersfield, an organization that supports migrant families. He also serves as a table leader in the Armor Up men’s ministry and participates in various leadership and service teams at Canyon Hills Assembly of God in Bakersfield.
Mark played an active role as a founding member of the Oildale Community Action Team, working to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life in the area. His community involvement extends to his work with the Bakersfield Rotary and Lions Club, where he has promoted leadership and ethical practices within the business community.
A Legacy of Dedication and Service
Mark Balch’s career reflects a deep commitment to education, leadership, and community service. Through his work in the Kern High School District and his volunteer efforts, Mark has positively impacted the lives of countless students, educators, and families. His work continues to shape the future of education and community engagement, and his dedication to improving educational opportunities ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Mark remains steadfast in creating opportunities for students to succeed and thrive academically and personally.
Current Leadership in Kern High School District
In 2023, Mark assumed the role of Director of New Teacher and Migrant Support in the Kern High School District (KHSD) in Bakersfield, California. Serving over 43,000 students, KHSD is the largest K-12 district in California. In this position, Mark oversees programs that support new teachers and migrant students, ensuring they have the resources and guidance needed for success. His leadership drives positive change within the district, helping students and educators achieve their full potential.
Educational Foundation and Early Career
Mark 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 degree in History from The Master’s College in Newhall. His strong academic foundation has played a vital role in shaping his leadership in education. Before transitioning into administrative roles, Mark taught at Highland High School and Fruitvale Junior High School, gaining firsthand experience in the classroom.
Impact at KHSD: Teacher and Student Support
As Director of New Teacher and Migrant Support, Mark has overseen expanding the Kern High Teacher Residency program, a partnership with CSU Bakersfield. Under his leadership, the program grew to include 40 teachers and 40 mentors by the 2024-2025 school year, making it one of California's most extensive teacher residency programs. This expansion highlights Mark's ability to create robust teacher development opportunities that benefit new educators and their students.
Mark’s work with migrant students has also been notable. His leadership in the Migrant Support program has contributed to a graduation rate of over 98%. The program serves over 200 students and families through biweekly Saturday academies, helping them overcome educational barriers and succeed. Mark’s focus on supporting migrant families has had a lasting impact on their academic journeys and well-being.
Leadership Experience at North High School
Before his current role, Mark G. Balch, Ed.D., served as principal at North High School in Bakersfield, where he spent nearly eight years developing a career-based pathway program. This included launching one of California’s first high school aviation programs. Mark worked closely with community leaders, forging partnerships to provide more opportunities for students in a high-poverty area.
Under his leadership, North High School implemented data-driven decision-making, earning the school a Platinum Award from the California Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Commission in 2022. Mark’s work earned him the 2018 Regional Star Administrator award from the California Future Farmers of America (FFA), recognizing his commitment to educational excellence.
Instructional Services Leadership
Mark also served as Instructional Services Director at KHSD from 2011 to 2015. In this role, he developed district-wide training for assistant principals and aligned instructional practices across schools. Mark focused on improving the reclassification rate for English Learners, achieving a 12% increase. He also expanded the AVID program, which helps prepare students for higher education and career success.
Community Involvement and Volunteerism
Mark has dedicated much of his time to community service outside his professional responsibilities. For the past seven years, he has volunteered with City Serve Bakersfield, an organization that supports migrant families. He also serves as a table leader in the Armor Up men’s ministry and participates in various leadership and service teams at Canyon Hills Assembly of God in Bakersfield.
Mark played an active role as a founding member of the Oildale Community Action Team, working to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life in the area. His community involvement extends to his work with the Bakersfield Rotary and Lions Club, where he has promoted leadership and ethical practices within the business community.
A Legacy of Dedication and Service
Mark Balch’s career reflects a deep commitment to education, leadership, and community service. Through his work in the Kern High School District and his volunteer efforts, Mark has positively impacted the lives of countless students, educators, and families. His work continues to shape the future of education and community engagement, and his dedication to improving educational opportunities ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Mark remains steadfast in creating opportunities for students to succeed and thrive academically and personally.
