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dTHS Teacher Feature: William Cornell
Let’s get to know our Engineering Teacher and MakerSpace Curriculum Coordinator, William Cornell.
Q: Where did you go to school and what degree did you earn?
A: I received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from CSUN.
Q: What is your previous work experience?
A: Straight from college, I was a Design Engineer at Aerospace Dynamics for 3 years.
Q: Why did you decide to become a teacher?
A: I always wanted to be a teacher, just never thought it would happen so fast. I have a passion for sharing knowledge with the next generation of engineers and really want to get the students interested and excited about STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.
Q: Why did you choose to work at dTHS?
A: I love that dTHS allows teachers the ability to use their own personal experiences to teach the students with little to no restrictions. The small classes are perfect to really focus with students one on one. Also, as a teacher, it’s very helpful that dTHS is not afraid to invest in their students and get the best tools needed for teaching.
Q: What classes do you teach?
A: I teach…
- Two Engineering classes - Intro to Engineering and Engineering
- AP Computer Science
- MakerSpace Curriculum
- After-school Robotics Team
I also help intertwine other subjects with the MakerSpace by connecting STEAM projects with their curriculum.
Q: What do you love about dTHS?
A: The staff is amazing! Students are top notch! It’s great to see how the students really get what I am teaching them, try hard, and truly want to learn.
Q: What is your teaching style?
A: Definitely hands on, especially when I am teaching code and using the MakerSpace with students. I want the students to be able to actively do what I am teaching while I am teaching them. If they’re not making code or building anything, they’re not learning. I also want to instill in students to think like engineers. Those types of problem-solving skills can be used anywhere.
Q: Do you have a vision for the Robotics team?
A: Yes! This year the Robotics team is attending two regional competitions with 60 other high schools. Our goal is to build a robot that can compete and place high…or at least be the best rookie.
Q: What started your love for Technology?
A: It’s funny, it all circles back to when I was on the Robotics team in high school doing the same type of work I do here with the students. My high school Robotics team is also the reason I wanted to go to school to become an engineer.
Q: What is your favorite activity to do outside of work?
A: I love to spend time with my wife, who is also a Mechanical Engineer, and my puppy. My wife and I are busy practically every day. We love to play soccer and hockey, and we are on a Billiards team together that competes every Monday and Thursday night.
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: I have a puppy who is 6 years old, but is still a puppy to us. He is a German Shepherd and his name is Apollo. We dressed him up like Apollo Creed for Halloween!
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: I’ll take a good falafel sandwich any day. Actually, Trader Joe’s has a great falafel mix that I use to make my own at home.
Located in the San Fernando Valley portion of the City of Los Angeles in Northern Los Angeles County. de Toledo High School is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and Builders of Jewish Education (BJE,) and financially supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the Jim Joseph Foundation.
