STAFF & FACULTY DIRECTORY PROFILE
Mark Kushner '01
Job Title:
Social Studies Teacher
Department:
Social Studies
Email:
Phone: (510) 577-9100
ext.
Started at O'Dowd:
2024
Degrees:
BS Business Management, Menlo College
Originally from:
Castro Valley, CA
Why I Teach:
I was blessed with great teachers and I believe it to be an obligation to pay it forward when you have benefitted from others. Teaching is usually a really enjoyable creative outlet. I have the opportunity to experiment and try new things and discuss ideas in varied ways. I am afforded the privilege to work with young people everyday in the effort to improve themselves and those around them. I can't think of a better use of one's time in this world than to help educate young people.
Most powerful teaching technique:
Case studies, Harkness method, simulations
Why are the subjects you teach important?:
Psychology is a deeply illuminating examination of the human experience. It teaches us how similar we are to other species in the natural world, but also how uniquely human we are. Its findings can be both distressing and inspiring. Most practically, understanding psychology can improve our individual lives as well as have a positive impact on society.
Favorite quotes:
"It is our responsibilities, not ourselves, that we should take seriously." Peter Ustinov
Favorite trivia:
I have shaken hands with two future presidential candidates of both major parties.
Recommended visual media:
Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spaceballs, Last of the Mohicans, Shawshank Redemption, The Newsroom, Better Call Saul, Band of Brothers, I am not your Negro, Hidden Brain (Podcast), Any Ken Burns doc.
Recommended reads:
Mistakes were made but not by me, Man's Search for Meaning, How Democratic is the American Constitution?, The Father of All Things, The Color of Law, A walk in the woods, Our Inner Ape, just about anything from David Sedaris
Hobbies or outside interests:
Being with my amazing family, skiing, backpacking, boating the bay, going to Tahoe, finding new recipes, traveling internationally