Dr. Mark Hatchell began his duties as superintendent of Academy School District 20 in July 2007. He graduated from Colorado State University in 1982 where he earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He earned his master's degree from CSU in 1985. Hatchell did his doctoral studies at the University of Colorado - Boulder/Denver and earned his Doctoral Degree in 1989.
Dr. Hatchell started his public education career as a student teacher at Air Academy High School in 1983. Later that year he began teaching full-time at Thornton High School in Denver area. During his teaching career at Thornton High School, Dr. Hatchell was the head basketball and baseball coach. His administrative career started in 1988 as a part-time Dean of Students at Thornton High School. In 1990, Dr. Hatchell moved to Fort Lupton, Colorado, where he started his new position as assistant principal. He returned to El Paso County in 1992 as an assistant principal at Widefield High School.
1994 Named principal Widefield High School
1996 Named planning principal, later principal Mesa Ridge High School
1999 Named executive director curriculum and instruction - Widefield Schools
2000 Named assistant superintendent in the Widefield School District
2001 Named superintendent of Widefield School District
2007 Named superintendent of Academy School District 20
Dr. Hatchell and his wife Cathy have 5 children who attend Academy School District 20 schools.
Dr. Hatchell is the chairperson of the Pikes Peak Area School District Alliance. He serves on the board of Junior Achievement and is also on the board of the Colorado Consortium for Earth and Space Science Education. Dr. Hatchell tutors at the Help One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) program at Mountain View Elementary. He is also a member of numerous professional organizations. Dr. Hatchell has presented locally, regionally, and nationally on educational topics.
He was the 2004 recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Educator of the Year Award for the Pikes Peak Region.
