Education and Professional Experience
Dr. Desjardins is a career long educator, serving schools, students, and families for more than 30 years, 23 of those as a sitting Head of School at TMI in San Antonio, Holland Hall in Tulsa, St. John’s School in Houston, and Army Navy Academy in Carlsbad, California. Quality education continues to be the centerpiece of Dr. Mark D. Desjardins’ professional life.
As a seasoned educator, Mark was attracted to All Saints because of the strong and resolute values alignment between the school’s mission and his own educational and leadership philosophy. He says, “ I find a deep need to be a part of a place where I can add tremendous value and make a discernible difference.”
Dr. Desjardins holds a B.A in East Asian Civilizations from Bates College, a M.Ed in Secondary School Administration from University of Virginia, Charlottesville, and a PhD in History of American Education from University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
In 2008, he was a Klingenstein visiting Heads Fellow, Teachers College, Columbia University; one of 20 school heads around the world invited to participate in the intensive 14 day program focused on researching and writing about best practices in educational leadership for Independent Schools. In addition, Dr. Desjardins has served on numerous professional boards, as well as, serving as President of Southwest Association of Episcopal School (SWAES), Southwest Preparatory Athletic Conference (SPC), and Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS).
Dr. Desjardins believes that to “serve is to lead” and says, “As Heads we are called to be good stewards of the institutions under our care and guidance. There is no higher calling than using the gifts to make those around us better. There is no act more noble or worthy than to simply be in service to others.”
Education:
1984-88: Bates College, Lewiston, ME., B.A. East Asian Civilizations
1992-93: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. M.Ed., Secondary School Admin
1992-1995: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. Ph.D., History of American Education
2008: Klingenstein Visiting Heads Fellow, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. One of 20 school heads around the world to participate in an intensive 14-day program focused on researching and writing about best practices in educational leadership for independent schools.
Professional Appointments:
1988-1991: Faculty Member, Department of History, and Assistant Director of Athletics, Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, MA.
1994-1996: Associate Director of Admissions, The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT.
1996-1999: Assistant Head of School and Upper School Head, TMI-The Episcopal School of Texas, San Antonio, TX.
1999-2004: Head of School, TMI-The Episcopal School of Texas, grades 6-12, 350 students
2004-2010: Head of School, Holland Hall, Tulsa OK, grade PreK-12, 1000 students
2010-2021: Head of School, St. John’s School, Houston, TX, grades K-12, 1400 students
2021-2022: President, Army and Navy Academy, Carlsbad, CA, grades 7-12, 300 students
Selected Professional and Public Service Activities:
Board Member, 2010-2018, KIPP Academy Public Schools, Houston, Texas.
President, 2008-2010, Southwest Association of Episcopal Schools (SWAES)
President, 2010-2014, Southwest Preparatory Athletic Conference (SPC)
President, 2016-2019, Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS)
Board Member, 2014-2017, School Year Abroad (SYA)
Board Member, 2010-2016, College Year in Athens, Greece (CYA)
Board Member, 2012-2016, Breakthrough Collaborative National Board
Chaired 10 Year Re-accreditation Visiting Committees for the following schools, All Saints Episcopal School, Fort Worth; Episcopal School of Dallas; Hockaday School, Dallas; Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM.
