Mark Jeffers
Position: English Teacher
School: Mount Miguel High School
School District: Grossmont Unified School District
City, State: San Diego, CA
Support Mark
Leave a comment
Get Updates
Music that Describes Mark
Mark Jeffers was nominated by Carlos Milsap.
Dr. Mark Jeffers is not only an educator, but a true LifeChanger. Through his leadership at Mount Miguel High School, he has created opportunities that are opening doors for students who may have never believed college or a brighter future was within reach. His work with the Matador Early College program has helped students gain access to college-level courses while still in high school, building confidence, purpose, and hope for their futures.
What stands out most is not just the awards and recognition he has received, including being named a 2026–27 San Diego County Teacher of the Year, but the impact he has had on his school's culture and the lives of the students around him. People describe him as someone who empowers students to believe in themselves, strive for excellence, and see possibilities beyond their current circumstances.
"I have never personally met Dr. Jeffers, but watching the enthusiasm and excitement he has created throughout the school, among the students, and across the news channels truly impacted me. You can see the genuine love and respect students and staff have for him. It is obvious that he is not simply teaching subjects in a classroom — he is changing lives, inspiring young people to dream bigger, and helping them believe that their future matters," said Milsap. "In a world where many students need someone to believe in them, Dr. Mark Jeffers has become that person for countless young people. That is what makes him a true LifeChanger."
Well done Mark. Well deserved!
Dr. Jeffers is the most influential teacher and mentor I have ever had. I met him in 2013, when I took his English class at Mount Miguel. I had recently returned from Africa, and joined the school mid-year, as a sophomore, with no credits or prior high school experience. Feeling lost with no sense of direction, his class created an environment of trust and empowerment, and he challenged us to stive for excellence. He truly cared about each student and provided mentorship and guidance to anyone willing to ask.
I later joined Dr. Jeffers’ Matador Early College program, which allowed me to begin taking college courses while still in high school. That opportunity helped me make up missing high school credits and get ahead in college. I graduated on time at the top of my class and was accepted to SDSU as a first-generation college student. As I had already earned college units, I had time to explore new classes and figure out which career path I wanted to pursue. I went on to graduate from SDSU with a master’s degree in accounting.
Dr. Jeffers’ belief, mentorship, and his challenge to strive for excellence guided me through my academic career and continue to guide me today as I navigate my career. I truly believe he more than deserves to be recognized as Life Changer of the Year.
Worked in King Co with Mark … He was excellent at his job. My vote is fir Mark.
I wholeheartedly support this nomination. I have personally witnessed Dr. Jeffers' unwavering commitment to students of all levels through his work as an early college high school teacher, SDSU professor and GUHSD student teacher liaison. His dedication, mentorship, and genuine investment in student success make him exceptionally deserving of this recognition.
Dr. Jeffers is one of the most influential teachers I’ve ever had. We’ve known each other since I was a sophomore in high school , almost 10 years ago. At the time, I didn’t know much English, but he recruited me into the MEC program and gave me opportunities that changed the direction of my life.
Because of him, I was able to take college classes early, finish college ahead of schedule, and now I’m almost done with pharmacy school. I’ve never met a teacher who genuinely cares about his students the way he does.
He always made sure everyone felt comfortable and welcomed in his class. He cares so much about his students, not just academically, but personally as well. He takes the time to get to know his students, supports them through challenges, and always wants to see them succeed.
I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without his support and encouragement. I’m so thankful to have had him as a teacher and mentor.
Mark Jeffers was my highschool teacher 18 years ago. His support and guidance as a teacher and mentor were monumental in shaping my future. As the daughter of immigrants growing up in a violent household, a future for myself was hard to imagine, let alone focus on. At 16 years old I met Jeffers through the Success Academy program. A program that he helped shape for kids just like myself. This program was meant to help the students who face academic struggles despite their interest in learning and school. I wanted to succeed but my struggles at home and lack of motivation for a future left me drained. I never knew how college worked, how to apply, what credits were or that I could pick and choose classes. Mr. Jeffers not only told me how he showed me. He sat beside me at a desk and told me what to do what to fill out and what buttons to push. The knowledge, time ,effort and guidance that I didn’t have at home was filled by my teacher. Mark Jeffers’s program and ability to communicate with students on their lever is hard to put into words. He literally pulls you out of your mental and emotional block and makes you believe that education and a better life is possible for YOU (the forgotten one). His guidance gives hope to the hopeless students, the invisible ones, the “bad” ones, the struggling ones, the hurting ones. I feel as if his guidance in my life has brought me here as I sit in an indoor child’s play place with my daughter, working on my laptop for one of the largest Real estate Management Firms in the US. A salary position as an accountant with the perk of working from home because I was taught to never settle for less than what I want. Mark Jeffers not only pushed me in high schools to meet my highest potential, he didn’t just show me I could go to college. He helped me at my lowest and his guidance followed me through my first job at 16. He pushed me to apply at a law firm when I was 22 and I wanted something more. His worlds and guidance followed me for years because he was open to it.On the first day of class he writes his cell phone on the board, tells you to call him if you need him and he truly deeply means it!
Dr. Mark Jeffers truly deserves to be recognized as Life Changer of the Year. As one of his former students who graduated in 2023 and someone who still turns to him for guidance today, I can personally say that he has changed my life.
What makes Dr. Jeffers special is that he genuinely believes in his students. He uplifts them, advocates for them, and fights for opportunities they may never have thought possible. If you are willing to put in the effort and set goals for yourself, he will support you every step of the way. He does not focus on where you come from. He focuses on how far you are willing to go.
I am living proof of the impact he has on students. Through the opportunities and support he provided, I graduated from high school at 17 with an associate degree. I then went on to graduate from UC Berkeley at 19 with my bachelor's degree. None of that would have been possible without Dr. Jeffers. He saw potential in me, opened a door, and simply asked if I wanted to walk through it. He challenged me to think about how far I was willing to go and how hard I was willing to work. Because he believed in me, I believed in myself.
Dr. Jeffers creates a culture of excellence, respect, and possibility. When he walks into a room, people listen because they know he is a leader whose words carry wisdom, integrity, and purpose. Students, teachers, and parents alike recognize the impact he has on those around him.
His vision extends far beyond the classroom. As the founder of Matador Early College, he has opened doors and created opportunities for countless students to achieve more than they ever imagined. His dedication, leadership, and belief in young people have transformed lives, including my own.
I am incredibly grateful for everything Dr. Jeffers has done for me and so many others. There is no one more deserving of this recognition.
I have the honor of knowing Dr. Jeffers as a colleague and friend. I taught at Mount Miguel High School for over 25 years and got to see Dr. Jeffers build his Early College Program from the beginning, one step at a time. This program has changed the lives of countless students for over 20 years - starting as an 'alternative' program with students who had struggled and making it a highly sought after program for students, parents/guardians and many of his fellow educators. He has been relentless and tireless in his calling: helping improve student experiences and school outcomes by his belief in and commitment to them. He is inspirational, motivational and a true 'connector': building bridges on his campus as well as with local 2 year and 4 year institutions.
.
Great man! Appreciate all that he does...
Dr. Jeffers is truly the best to ever do it. He has changed not only my life, but the lives of thousands of students through his dedication, encouragement, and belief in others. His impact goes far beyond the classroom, inspiring people to reach their full potential and believe in themselves. If anyone deserves to be named LifeChanger of the Year, it’s Dr. Jeffers.
Dr. Jeffers is a figure head staff member at Mount Miguel. As an office staff member, I cannot tell you how many times students come in asking for him to help them because he helps so many. He not only helps students, but also staff with many different avenues of need. Because he is so knowledgeable and because he has so much experience, staff, students and parents alike turn to him when they have questions. Many times it is not his responsibility, but he delivers results with a smile. Additionally he sets a good example for students by dressing for success. He is an excellent communicator and he has wisdom to pass on constantly. As a veteran, father, and educator, he shows poise and grace. He represents our community well, while also rolling up his sleeves and doing the hard work. I can't say enough good things about this gentleman and the work he has done to change the lives of our students. The results continue to multiply as many of the people he has impacted pay it forward, largely due to the example Dr. Jeffers has set. He has truly changed lives. The results continue to snowball within the community and it is inspiring to see.
Having known Dr. Jeffers for more than 5 years, I can personally speak to the life-changing impact that he has had at Mount Miguel High School and in the Spring Valley community for over 20 years. Dr. Jeffers has been uplifting students and pushing them to be and achieve their best in the classroom, on the basketball court, and in college. Dr. Jeffers pioneered the "Early College" high school model here at Mount Miguel and the entire campus will be offering community college courses to high school students next year. Additionally, Dr. Jeffers has been positively impacting education in Southern California for nearly 7 years with his continued work at San Diego State University's College of Education where he "teaches the teachers." Mount Miguel and Spring Valley are proud of Dr. Jeffers' nomination, and grateful for his 20+ years of service and sacrifice.
Thank you Dr. Jeffers!
