Good Reasons to Lead Fellowship

Mark Samuel is a native Texan born and raised in the Houston area. He completed his undergraduate studies at Dillard University in New Orleans, LA, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He returned to Houston, Texas, to teach history, social studies, and literacy at the middle and high school levels with the Houston Independent school district. Following his success, as a teacher and various other campus-based teacher leadership roles, he served as an Instructional Specialist and later a Teacher Development Specialist. In these roles, he focused on coaching and supporting secondary teachers throughout the district, primarily in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Next, he returned to the campus level, where he served as an Assistant Principal and later the Dean of Instruction at Fondren Middle School. Mark was instrumental in the transformation efforts that occurred, such as the authorization of the International Baccalaureate-Middle Years Programme, the implementation of the Leader In Me, and the creation of a culture and climate of high expectations for students and staff. As a result, Mark was named the principal at Shadowbriar Elementary School on July 14, 2014. His team, along with the support of the staff and community, have led transformational efforts at the campus, such as the addition of grades PK-2 in one school year, becoming the district’s first elementary STEAM magnet school, and the implementation of the Leader In Me. Under his leadership, a more than 60% increase in student enrollment and the development of logistical and instructional systems have led to improvements in student safety, campus efficiency, and academic achievement.

In addition, to his undergraduate degree, Mark also earned an M.Ed., Curriculum, and Instruction from the University of Houston; M.Ed., Educational Administration from the University of Texas; and is currently enrolled in the Ed.D., Educational Administration-CSP at the University of Texas. His professional interests include equity and diversity in teaching and learning, school programming and design, school systems and Instructional leadership, and professional learning communities. 

Mark enjoys traveling and spending quality time with his wife and daughter, watching television, reading, listening to vinyl records, and barbecuing in his free time. Mark is also a big fan of the Houston Texans, Houston Rockets, and Houston Astros.