Mark Kennedy is the author of two books with Psychology/Holistic Education Press, and has written for Psychology Today, The Serein Lark Review, The Memoirist, International Memoirs Writers Association Memoir Showcase (2025 Honorable Mention), and older pieces in Reaching Today’s Youth, The Journal of At-Risk Issues, and Paths of Learning.

Retiring in 2020 after 30 award-winning years of teaching adjudicated teens, Kennedy began writing full-time in 2024 after receiving a diagnosis for a hidden disability—autism and ADHD (AuDHD)—after the age of 60. He was given a surprising new freedom as this hidden life-long foe was finally made visible.

In part to cope with the unseen adversary, long before a diagnosis and simultaneously with his teaching career, Kennedy cross-trained in Hapkido, Shaolin Kempo, American Kenpo, and Kung Fu San Soo, and taught martial arts to his high-risk teens, retiring as an 8th degree black belt instructor in 5-Animal Kempo San Soo.

Now 26 years sober and retired from teaching and martial arts, Kennedy enjoys learning in all forms, reading, writing, Zumba, fellowship with like-minded friends, and time with his White Shepherd boss, Kona.