Mark Solkoff is an Assistant Principal at Academy of American Studies in Long Island City, Queens where he sponsors the Academy Players, International Thespian Society Troupe #5824. Since 1997, Mark has led the Cheesy Llama Improvisational Theatre Society at the Academy which has participated in NYSTEA student conferences since 1999 and has hosted the NYC Region's Share Your Drama Power in 2000, 2003, 2005, and 2006. Mark and the Academy played host to the state-wide NYSTEA Educators' Conference in Fall, 2013. Mark has worked to enhance the theatre program at the Academy, teaching an acting class that works in tandem with a playwriting class taught by his colleague. The program produces a monologue showcase in the fall and a Festival of One Act Plays in the spring with students performing works written by their peers. Before teaching social studies and theatre in high school, Mark taught middle school for seven years where he designed and implemented I.S. 77’s theatre program. Mark has been a NYSTEA member since 1997 and has been on the Board of Trustees since 2002. He chairs the Constitution Committee and Nominating Committee, was Secretary for six years and proudly served as NYSTEA President for four years. He truly believes in the power of theatre to perform and transform!