Mark Ravaglia, or “Dr. R” to his students, is no stranger to exploring the limits of human endurance. So far, he has completed three Ironman distance triathlons, more than 10 marathons, two 50-mile runs, and two 100-mile runs. While endurance sports are a passion for Ravaglia, he’s also an intellectual heavyweight. He earned a B.S. from Stanford University, and both an M.S. and Ph.D. in logic, computation, and methodology from Carnegie Mellon University. Originally from Millbrae, California, Ravaglia joined HPA in 2004. He teaches AP Statistics and Multivariate Calculus. He is also the triathlon club advisor, boys cross country coach, and Perry-Fiske Hall dormitory head.
Do you ever run math problems in your head while running/swimming/biking?
Most of the time when running I just look at the scenery and let my mind wander. If I think too much about something I start to slow down.
Where is your favorite place on the island to train?
Although I’ve only run on it a small number of times, R1 is out of this world. It wraps around Maunakea.
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you want to be instead?
Epidemiologist. We’re going to need a lot for the zombie apocalypse.
If you could trade classes with another HPA teacher for a day, who would it be any why?
I’d pick up a class that was doing philosophy. It would let me get back to my roots.
In addition to your roles in academics, athletics, and residence life, you’re also a current parent. What do you hope your daughter will gain from HPA?
Apart from a solid education, I hope she gains strategies for how to have a balanced life.
What are your favorite moments as a teacher?
In the dorm, it’s when prefects develop to the point where they become truly proactive. In the classroom, it’s when students start answering their own deep questions.