Mark Knowles

I was hired to start the alternative program in 2000 and the program has helped many students find academic success through hands on learning, low student teacher ratios, career exploration, and solid student-teacher relationships. My fundamental core philosophy is that all communities and public educators have a moral responsibility to support all students to achieve success in school. I believe that every person matters, failure is not an option, and that having an educated population is central to the welfare of your pluralistic democracy.

I am married, have two grown sons, and a dog named Finnegan. My Mom and two sisters reside in NH, and my Dad is in Florida, and I have two nieces, and a nephew.

I attended USM earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in History, an MS in Teaching and Learning, and an MS in Educational Leadership. I discovered Alternative Education as an intern at South Portland and Gorham High Schools. Originally planning to teach social studies, I became dedicated to serving students at risk of not graduating. After completing my graduate degree, I was hired at Noble High School in their Alternative program where I worked for two years prior to OOBHS. 

I have been a baseball, basketball, and soccer coach for youth programs. Baseball is my passion and I coached in Little League, Babe Ruth, and Middle School programs. Prior to teaching high school, I was in the United States Marine Corps for eight years and was Honorably Discharged as a staff sergeant. Although a multi-generational Maine resident, I resided in California for 10 years after serving my country where I worked for the U.S. Postal Service.