David Mark, MS, LMSW

After earning my Masters of Science in School Psychology and Masters of Social Work, I began a career in early childhood education at a special education preschool, where I worked full-time as a Bilingual School Psychologist for 6 years. I have been in my current position as a School Psychologist and Social Worker for the City of New York for the past 10 years, and am fortunate to also teach a number of courses at DRS Yeshiva High School, including AP Psychology, Jewish History, The David Project, and E2K Robotics. An avid participant in the emerging field of Positive Psychology, I developed and began teaching a curriculum called "The Science of Happiness" which is geared toward increasing students' optimism, sense of self efficacy, emotional well-being and overall resilience.

I am guided by my teaching philosophy that hands-on experiences bring excitement and personal relevance into a lesson for students at all grade levels, allowing them to more easily understand and remember what they are taught. With this in mind, I created a mini Resource Manual for Educators that provides preschool teachers with the information that they need to effectively teach today's lessons and reinforce each child's understanding and appreciation of science. I had an awesome time at Gan Yisroel Day Camp for the past 5 summers where I continued my efforts to make learning about nature and science an interactive and exciting experience for preschoolers.

I feel really blessed and honored by those that visit with me during private office hours on Monday and Thursday evenings. I have always been taught and adhere to the idea that good practice is based in scientifically supported interventions. In continuiing my clinical training and working with couples I have found that Dr. Gottman's research offers a scientifically-based glimpse into the anatomy of marriage and couples relationships. I have recently become a Certified Gottman 7 Principles Program Educator and look forward to level three training that I will be attending in March 2014 where I continue to learn factual and objective information that has helped couples build stronger and happier relationships.

In 2012 I was blessed to be one of the Grinspoon Steinhardt award winners. In November 2013 I was asked to be a part of the Maytiv-YU Azrielli Advisory Team bringing Positive Psychology to North American Jewish Day Schools.

Oh yeah, one more really important thing, I am only a reflectio