Michael Hernandez

Michael Hernandez

Michael Hernandez is an award-winning journalism, cinema and photography teacher who founded the Media Arts program at Mira Costa High School in 1999.1 He has been teaching digital photography to beginning and advanced-level high school students at Mira Costa for over 15 years.2

Accomplishments and Roles

• National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow and recently returned from an expedition to Antarctica34
• Apple Distinguished Educator and Google for Education Certified Innovator1
• PBS Digital Innovator1
• 2015-16 Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year and National High School Broadcast Journalism Teacher of the Year1
• Author of "Storytelling With Purpose: Digital Projects To Ignite Student Curiosity" published by ISTE in 20242
• International speaker and education advocate featured in Forbes, Edutopia, PBS, NPR, and SXSW EDU2
• Advisor for the nationally award-winning Mustang Morning News broadcast journalism program1
• Teaches Cinematic Arts, Broadcast Journalism and Photography classes that prepare students for college and professional work in film, television, journalism and new media1

Curriculum and Advocacy

• Developed curriculum and published articles and ebooks on topics such as digital storytelling, journalism, media literacy, and social justice2
• Oversees capital campaigns and budgets for the Media Arts program2
• Developed and led international documentary trips for students to countries like Cuba, Vietnam and Cambodia12
• Programs an annual international student film festival2

Professional Experience

• Media Arts Teacher and Department Chair at Mira Costa High School (1999 - Present)2
• Photography Teacher at Mira Costa High School (2009 - Present)2
• Part-time Film/Video Production Professor at El Camino College (2007 - 2010)2