Mike Amarillas was born October 11, 1986 and grew up in San Diego, CA. He graduated high school in 2004 and studied physics at Stanford… but he wasn’t satisfied with his academic path. After spending two summers as a YMCA camp counselor he knew that educating high school students was his destiny. He obtained a M.Ed. and began teaching physics in 2009 at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, CA. Mike and his family moved back to the SD area in 2015 and he began teaching engineering at HTHNC. Mike’s first project here was working with a team of seniors to set up the HTHNC Makerspace. During the 2019-20 school year he obtained a math credential and shifted to teaching integrated ninth grade math/physics. Mike loves food & drink, roller coasters, music, and making things. His children attend HTeNC – Miles in fifth grade and Erin in first grade.