Mark Schumacher

A teacher at heart, Mark spent 10 years in the classroom with students before inspiring educators from the stage. Today, Mark is invited to speak to teachers and administrators all over the county. Since leaving the classroom, Mark has performed in front of tens of thousands of educators. He is honored to share lessons he has learned and hopes to inspire the teachers he meets as much as they inspire him. No one relates to a teacher more than someone who has walked in their shoes. After teaching students of all ages, in three different countries, Mark understands both the joys and challenges educators face every day. His credibility as a teacher, combined with his heartfelt humor helps educators reignite their passion for teaching. His authentic presentation is a refreshing break from your typical professional development days. As one teacher expressed to her superintendent: “He was engaging, thoughtful and hilarious. I honestly don't know how you will top it next year. It was everything we needed.” 

Post college graduation, Mark spent an eye-opening year teaching English to elementary and middle school students in Sichuan, China. He also taught in the English Language schools in Taiwan. Mark spent eight years teaching psychology, sociology, government and economics at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Southern California. There Mark developed and taught the psychology and sociology courses which became two of the most popular courses on campus. Mark was drawn to the human element of those subjects - they both have the ability to improve people's lives. He is proud that many of his former students have gone on to study and work in those fields. Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master’s degree in Education, specializing in Cross Cultural teaching. His Master's thesis advanced Mark's belief in the importance of humor in the classroom, and its effects on students. 

Mark's background in comedy has allowed him to make audiences laugh across the country, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, Seattle, and Hawaii and internationally in London and Paris. In 2015 he was selected as one of the top 100 comedians in the country and performed on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. He’s been featured in the Orange County Register and written comedy for the Los Angeles Times. His unique experiences teaching – abroad for elementary students and in California as a high school teacher – in addition to traveling all over the world provide endless laughs. Educators and fans of all ages relate to Mark’s cleaner, smarter style.

Mark lives in Southern California with his wife Aliy, and their children Leo and Millie. 

8 Things You Need to Know About Mark

• Mark has lived and worked in four different countries.

• Humor was a big part of his family growing up – everyone agrees his mom is the funniest.

• In 2009, he spent his summer break in New York City performing stand-up comedy. His first show was at a comedy club in front of one audience member.

• Mark and his beautiful wife make a great team but have opposite personalities. She’s been known to honk the horn at other cars while he’s driving.

• His first teaching assignment was a classroom full of 70 middle school students in Sichuan, China.

• Mark is a cereal addict and even had a cereal bar at his wedding reception.

• He mountain biked through the Himalayas from Lhasa, Tibet to Kathmandu, Nepal with nine other people.

• Mark attended law school. For three weeks.