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Who is this Mark Van Over?I am a native of Pontiac, Illinois, a small town in the middle of Central Illinois "corn country." In 1986, when I was 13, my family decided to move to Phoenix, Arizona, where I lived until June 2005. I moved to the San Diego area at that time, as I figured it would be good to no longer be a "Zonie" and to live in one of the best places on Earth! I am a 1991 graduate of Independence High School, in Glendale, Arizona, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University in 1997, where I majored in secondary education with an emphasis on history.
I always wanted to be a teacher. When I was a youngster and we would play school, I was always that kid who fought with the others because I HAD to be the teacher. As I moved through elementary school, I always wanted to teach whatever grade I was in. In high school, however, I decided on Social Science. I absolutely love anything to do with history and with political science. I began teaching in the 1997-1998 school year, at Desert Vista High School, in Phoenix, where I taught World History, American Studies, U.S. Government, Current Events, AP U.S. History, and at-risk students in the Tempe Union High School District's Community Evening School. I first came to Canyon Crest Academy in 2005 and was one of the founding members of the Social Science Department. Starting with the first graduating class, I taught AP World History, AP U.S. History, College Prep World History, College Prep U.S. History, and a great elective course, Current Issues. I moved into an administrative role in 2009, working at La Costa Canyon High School. However, I found that I missed the day-to-day excitement that one finds in the classroom, and in 2015 I decided to return to Canyon Crest Academy, where I am again teaching AP U.S. History, AP Psychology, and Current Issues. I also work in a support role with the Social Science teachers in the San Dieguito Union High School District. I thoroughly enjoy the teaching profession and love working with students. I am excited that I am back at Canyon Crest Academy. The excitement and electricity that is felt at this school is unlike any other, and I am both proud and honored to be a part of the program! |