Long-time Lincoln High School teacher Mark Fowler had a chance to reminisce with a childhood friend while being recognized at Tuesday’s meeting of the Placer County Board of Supervisors.
Board members presented Fowler with a commemorative coin created for a citizen-recognition program established by the board in 2002. He was honored for his many years of community service.
Second District Supervisor Robert M. Weygandt gave the commemorative coin to Fowler, noting that they were childhood friends who lived about a mile from each other in rural Lincoln as kids.
Fowler was hired to teach at Lincoln High soon after he graduated from California State University at Sacramento and remained at the high school until his retirement several years ago.
“I still come across kids who went to Lincoln High and had Mark as a teacher,” Supervisor Weygandt said, noting that they always say Fowler had a very positive impact on their lives.
The supervisor told the audience that Fowler was Placer County Teacher of the Year in 1996, was named Teacher of the Year by the California Waterfowl Association in 2007 and was inducted into the Lincoln High School Hall of Fame in 2007.
Fowler was instrumental in creating the high school’s highly successful School Farm Program, served as a football coach and created an outdoor-education program that took students on outings as far away as Utah and Arizona.
Fowler also served as a member of the Rural Lincoln Municipal Advisory Council for many years before leaving his post there recently.
He remains active with a number of community organizations and advisory bodies, including the Placer County Fish and Game Commission.
“So, in retirement, he obviously is not just sitting around,” Supervisor Weygandt said.
Fowler addressed the board after receiving his commemorative coin, emphasizing that he has had a great career as a teacher and volunteer.
“You don’t do that expecting accolades,” he said. “You do it because you like it.”
The board created the commemorative coin program to recognize acts of heroism, longstanding community service and exceptional acts that dramatically improved or impacted people’s lives.
The commemorative coins feature the county seal on one side. On the other side are the word “hero” and the image of an eagle with a star and sun rays in the background. The second side of the coin was designed by J. Randal Smith, an Auburn native who is a nationally known artist.
