Greetings Students and Parents,

I am Walter Maciel and teach several courses through our online program, Edmentum/Plato, including US History, Spanish, and French.  This is now my 26th year as a high school history teacher and have taught all levels of students from English learners to honors students.  In my time, I have served as co-department chair, coach for girls freshman and JV softball, assistant principal, and am currently mentor for beginning teachers.  This is now my 7th year at the Lake.

I was born to immigrant parents from Mexico who came here in the 1960s in search of a better life knowing no English.  After graduating from Valley View High School in 1993 (part of the 2nd graduating class from the Moreno Valley school), I went to UC Riverside and graduated with my BA in history.  After taking a few years off, i returned to school and earned my masters degree in education from Cal State San Bernardino in 2006.  In doing so, I became the second member of either side of my family to earn a bachelor's degree and the first to earn a master's degree.  

In my free time, I love cycling, cross-fit, and watching or participating in most sports.  I also love traveling with my 2 step daughters and beautiful wife, including camping anywhere we can find a patch of dirt and trees.  One of my deepest held beliefs is that every single person can succeed, if given a bit of guidance and shown the right path.  That is my goal: to provide all of my students with the guidance and path to succeed in my class.  

I am here to help.  Any emails that I receive before 8pm usually are answered the same day, with those received after 8pm being answered the following day.  I look forward to working with my students to ensure their success.