Mr. Hernandez's Story

Mr. Hernandez has been a dedicated English teacher at Hillcrest High School for the past seven years, but his journey with the school began even earlier, as a student-teacher for a few months. In addition to his teaching role, he serves as the director of the Pre-College and Honors Academy (PCHA) at Hillcrest, where he works to support and guide students toward academic success.

Throughout his career, Mr. Hernandez has taught a wide range of classes, from 9th through 11th grade, as well as AP Language and Composition. He was inspired to pursue a career in education after majoring in English in college. Initially, Mr. Hernandez saw three potential career paths for himself—teaching, writing, or law. However, after considering the stresses of a career in law, and the uncertainties of being a writer, he decided to follow his passion for literature, choosing teaching as a way to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Educational Background and Early Career

Education has played a pivotal role in Mr. Hernandez’s life, both personally and professionally. He began his academic journey at LaGuardia Community College before continuing his studies at Queens College, the University at Albany, and ultimately earning a fellowship at Stanford University. Currently, he is furthering his qualifications at Molloy University, working toward a School Building Leader License with the goal of one day securing a position as an Assistant Principal.

Before becoming a teacher, Mr. Hernandez held a variety of jobs, including working as a construction laborer and a steam pipe fitter. He even found creative ways to earn money while in college, recalling, “I used to deliver games for parties—things like photo booths, ping pong tables, and game shows. I would set up, break down, and bring everything back to the warehouse on weekends to make extra cash.”

Dream Destinations and Personal Life

Mr. Hernandez has a keen interest in traveling and has always dreamed of visiting Germany, home to his favorite soccer team, Bayern Munich. He is also eager to explore Spain and Poland, where his ancestors are from, as well as other destinations like Amsterdam, Italy, Greece, and Togo.

On a personal note, Mr. Hernandez is an animal lover. He had a white German Shepherd for 11 years who passed away due to cancer but left an everlasting imprint on his life. He also has him tattooed on his left arm. Although allergic, Mr. Hernandez currently lives with a cat he and his fiancé adopted just last year. His love for animals is a cherished part of his life outside the classroom.

Passions Beyond the Classroom

When he's not teaching, Mr. Hernandez has many interests and hobbies that keep him busy. He enjoys reading, writing, playing video games, skating, and he has a deep love for music. His diverse taste ranges from bands like Linkin Park, Tyler the Creator, Blink-182, The Strokes, and Arctic Monkeys, to jazz legends like Miles Davis, classic crooners like Frank Sinatra, and even pop icons like Taylor Swift.

In addition to his other passions, Mr. Hernandez is also working on writing a young adult book series, which is still in its early stages, but “has a similar taste to the Chronicles of Narnia.”

Advice for Students

Mr. Hernandez's advice to students at Hillcrest is simple yet powerful: “Time is the most valuable asset you will ever have, for it is the one thing you can never get back once it’s gone.” He believes that managing time wisely and focusing on what truly matters will make all the difference in the future.