Meet Your Instructors
Joe Ward
Founder & Instructor
Professional Life: Joe has been a high school science teacher at Marin Catholic High School for 21 years where he teaches biology, physics, and marine science. He created and taught the Summer Scholars Summer Science camp for 4th through 6th graders at MC for several years. Joe was awarded Teacher of the Year at MC in 2010, an honor voted on by students. He has spent a decade coaching youth sports in the Novato community, coached football at MC for several years, and has been a leader for student retreats at MC for two decades. Joe also leads groups of MC students to Costa Rica every summer, where they enjoy surfing, hiking, and immersing themselves in Costa Rican culture and ecology.
Personal Life: Joe is married and has two kids, Asher and Rowan, both of whom attended Marin Catholic. Joe’s hobbies include surfing, skateboarding, playing guitar, various forms of fitness, fishing, coaching youth sports, and almost anything that gets him outdoors—especially near a beach. He has a passion for all things science and is constantly finding ways to share his love and passion in this area with others.
Mike Ward
Founder & Instructor
Professional Life: Mike dedicated nearly a decade to education as a high school teacher at Novato High School, where he made a lasting impact on his students. In 2009, he was honored as Teacher of the Year, an award voted on by the students themselves. Beyond the classroom, Mike also spent several years coaching football at Novato High. For the past 15 years, Mike has established himself as a top Realtor in the Sonoma/Marin area, leveraging his deep community connections and commitment to excellence. In addition to his real estate success, he has founded and operated multiple businesses, including CrossFit 38 Degrees North and Belly Left Coast Kitchen and Taproom.
Personal Life: Mike is married and a proud father of two boys, Gunnar and Dax. His passions include music, health and wellness, fitness, fishing, playing guitar, and coaching youth sports. Mike’s love for science was sparked by his oldest son, Gunnar, whose curiosity and enthusiasm for science and engineering are boundless.