Leading up to his recognition as National Principal of the Year, Dr. Wilson spent the better part of two decades bringing groups of people together, inspiring them to action, and leading them to success. He has served in education as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal, working at both the middle school and high school levels. Through this process Dr. Wilson has seen his responsibilities grow and his commitments increase, however, he has never lost touch with his passion and deep mission to produce not only good students but, perhaps even more importantly, responsible and caring citizens. He has always led by example, continuing to serve his students and staff as a classroom instructor throughout his illustrious career.

As the son of parents from the "Greatest Generation", Mark was raised in a blue-collar home where he quickly learned work ethic, determination, and the value of education. This invaluable upbringing inspired Mark to spend his life as an educator, sharing the lessons he learned at home with tens of thousands of students over the course of his career.

Recognizing the need to prepare, as well as educate, Dr. Wilson has relied on his diverse career experiences to impart clear and relevant messages to his students. Over time, Mark has worked as a welder's assistant, painter, carpenter's apprentice, and real estate agent. He has worked in college athletics, had a weekly column in a paper, delivered papers, operated companies, and taught adult education. His experiences with a myriad of people in a multitude of work environments have served Mark well as he connects with and motivates students and educators from all walks of life.

Dr. Wilson continues to share his inspirational journey from years of hard work to nationally-acclaimed administrator through powerful keynote addresses, insightful workshops and school/district consulting. His presentations inspire, educate, and challenge audiences to develop cultures within the four walls of schools that are meaningful and rewarding for all involved in the process.       

Mark has served as the President of the Georgia Association of Education Leaders (GAEL), the umbrella organization for educational leadership in the state.  He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals (GASSP).

For several years, Dr. Wilson has been an invited speaker at national conferences, been a panelist on numerous forums, and served on dozens of statewide committees.  He has been a frequent guest on “The Takeaway”, a national radio show, been published in Principal Leadership, and keynoted at many business and leadership conferences.             

Dr. Wilson has been honored by the Georgia House of Representatives, the Georgia Senate and invited to the Governor’s Office.  He has travelled to the U.S. Congress and been a guest of the President of the United States in the Oval Office of the White House.  As a graduate of Clemson University, he also had the distinction, with his family, to dot the “I”in  Tigers prior to a football game in Death Valley.

The life of a high school principal brings with it a varied platter of opportunities in which to work with students.  Mark has a passion for music, art, athletics, drama, history and the academics.  As principal, Dr. Wilson has found a way to connect passion to service and success.  His expertise in school culture and climate has led him to work with hundreds of educators who have visited his school, as well as many more to whom he has visited.  It is Mark’s goal to carry that experience and vision to as many people and places as possible!
                                   
In his soon-to-be-released book, “Up! The Direction of Success”, Dr. Wilson provides a proven strategy for high school students in their quest to acquire the knowledge and develop the skills needed for success in the real world.