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Mark Niedermier joined Pacific Northern Academy as Head of School in 2006. In addition to his administrative duties at PNA, Mark also teaches the language of ancient Greek as well as film history.
Previously, Mark served for fifteen years as Head of School at Friends School of Minnesota in Saint Paul. He is a past president of the Minnesota Association of Independent Schools and he has chaired school accreditation teams for the Independent Schools Association of the Central States.
Mark has presented at professional conferences on implementing school-wide conflict resolution programs; likewise, he has been as a panelist on the topic “Bringing Opera into the Elementary School Curriculum.”
As a teacher, Mark worked for five years teaching science in The Children’s Storefront School in New York City, where he developed and implemented a K-8 Science program. He also directed a summer camp for inner-city children. Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland; a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from the New School for Social Research in New York City; and additional training from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. His daughter is enrolled at PNA and his son will enter the school when he turns four.
School Secretary Paula Harris has been at Pacific Northern Academy since 2002. Her administrative capabilities are tremendous and very important for smooth school functioning.
Just as important, Paula is an important school family member for the students, whether for a reassuring smile, a band-aid, Chap Stick or getting help with that special “tooth necklace” to help keep their baby tooth safe until going home.
Paula was born and raised in upstate New York and arrived in Anchorage in 1992. She enjoys what Alaska has to offer: wildlife in the backyard, beautiful scenery and lots of community activities. She enjoys time with her family, scrap-booking, taking walks, and reading.
Debbie has been PNA’s Business Manager since 2004. She was born and raised in the great state of Ohio (Go Buckeyes), and came to Anchorage in 1975, her first trip west of the Mississippi River!
Debbie has one son, Robbie, who is in his mid 20s and is still the apple of her eye. She has an Associate Degree in Nursing, and has completed many accounting classes at UAA.
Kids and dogs love her, so she tends to baby-sit and dog-sit a lot. Debbie is an avid sports enthusiast and has played competitive softball, volleyball and golf most of her life.
Her favorite part of Alaska’s scenery is the mountains. She just can’t get enough of them and has numerous mountain photos around her condo. “The best part of PNA is the kids, “ Debbie exclaims. “They are so uplifting every day, and I hold them close to my heart.”
“Mr. Rich,” PNA’s Facilities Manager since 2002, came to Alaska in 1984. Originally from Texas, he’s worked in remote salmon fisheries in Prince William Sound, and even spent time at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica. Rich enjoys cooking, fishing, biking and hiking with his malamute Chaka.
Bruce is the school’s Information Technology Network Administrator. He has been with PNA since 2002 – first as a volunteer and later as a part-time member of the staff.
Bruce graduated from the University of Arizona in 1985 with a Bachelor of Architecture and a minor in Computer Science. He is a Microsoft-Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) with over 10 years experience designing and managing computer networks of all sizes. In addition to his duties at PNA, Bruce is the principal of Anchorage-based IT61 – a technology consulting practice specializing in network and infrastructure design, installation, and management.
During summer breaks, Bruce indulges his passion for aviation and the outdoors by flying float planes for a commercial air-charter operator based at Lake Hood. As an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Bruce has logged over 4,000 flight hours throughout south-central and southeast Alaska.
Susan joined PNA in 2007 as the school’s Director of Admissions and Marketing. A long-time Alaska resident, her previous experience includes sole proprietorship of Administrative Consultants. She worked nationwide as a dental practice management consultant and senior trainer for the Pacific Northwest, specializing in the field of dentistry and software systems.
Susan has worked in advertising, served as a vice president of radiology billing and established one of the first Diagnostic Imaging Centers in Southern California.
Susan’s daughter, Nicole, is a seventh grader at the school.
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