Meet the Principal

Hello Aviator Families,

Welcome to the 2023–2024 school year here at Gateway Polytechnic Academy. My name is Jeff Markle, and I am the proud principal of this amazing school. As a lifelong educator beginning my 22nd year in the profession, I am driven by four bone-deep beliefs for the students of GPA.

• Create a safe and respectful environment where we can grow as learners together. Our first basic instinct is safety; without it, we struggle to accomplish many of our day-to-day routines. A building that is safe and inviting will allow our students to free their minds in pursuits of knowledge.
• Foundations. Academic and social-emotional foundations are essential to building a student’s educational career. Strong foundations will lead to great educational success and the joy of becoming a lifelong learner.
• Educate the “whole child.” We will strive to develop well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the upcoming social, emotional, and educational challenges in their lives.
• Family. We are all stakeholders living under one roof. This is a tremendous opportunity to learn from, grow with, and support each other every day.

Outside of the GPA family, I am blessed with my wife Marcie, a lifelong educator and current sixth grade teacher at Silver Valley, and two amazing daughters: Emily, a junior at Eastmark; and Kaylee, a freshman at Eastmark. We enjoy watching our girls compete in the swimming pool, on the soccer field, and on the running track. When we are not rooting our kids on, we enjoy many of the outdoor activities Arizona has to offer, including hiking, fishing, exploring, and even trying to shave a few strokes off the golf game. Oh, and cheering on the Denver Broncos!

As the principal of this great school, I get to work alongside a dedicated staff of professionals who strive to give our students the best educational experience possible. We strive to build sturdy human beings and prepare students for the road ahead.

In Partnership,

Jeff Markle
Principal