Mr. Michael S. Collins

I am very pleased to start my seventh year teaching Introduction to Engineering , Civil Engineering & Architecture, Principles of Engineering and Engineering Design & Development capstone class at Ayala High School. I have been a resident and girls basketball coach in Chino Hills since 1997, where I live with my wife and two teenage daughters.  I absolutely love my community and feel blessed to mentor, challenge and inspire the children of our community.

I have the pleasure of teaching and inspiring the next generation of designers, engineers, architects and critical thinking problem solvers at Ayala using the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Curriculum augumented with my over 24 years of professional experience as one of the co-founders of GDS Architects and Director of Design and Engineering at LifeARK. (www.gdsarchitects.com, www.lifeark.net )

As Director of GDS Architects, I oversaw the design and engineering of all domestic and international projects, working in collaboration with all engineering and construction disciplines. The projects I have been involved with include large-scale mixed-use projects, high-density residential towers, international airports, civic and municipal buildings and new town masterplans.  My role at both GDS and LifeARK also included Patent development, Business Development and the hiring and mentoring of all new staff. My work has been featured in over 150 global publications, including Time Magazine's 2013 Best Innovations for Tower Infinity, 2017 Bukminster Fuller Challenge Semi-Finalist for Energy and Built Environment and 2018 Fast Company's World Changing Ideas Award Finalist.

I sincerely believe my many years of professional-relevant experience combined with my passion for learning and teaching others will be infectious to our youth and open their eyes to the many potential pathways that await them.  

link to NSHSS EDUCATOR OF YEAR ANNOUNCEMENT