Although Coronado High School students and parents know him as a respected Algebra and Physics teacher, Bill Lemei hasn’t always been a teacher.  In fact, his life has spanned several careers, both in and outside Coronado.  

Lemei moved to Coronado in 1950, and attended Coronado High, graduating in 1965. “My high school experience was a little awkward, but I was inspired by many teachers that I still remember.  Once I was out of high school, I attended many colleges including UCSD, SDSU, and Harvey Mudd.  Before I became a teacher, I owned a CPA firm in my early twenties and from there I owned and ran several other businesses.”

After moving back to Coronado in 1980 with his wife and two kids, Mr. Lemei’s teacher career began.  “I coached under-ten and under-twelve Select Soccer for a few years when the soccer program was just starting up in Coronado. I had a high school soccer player help out as a goalie coach, and in exchange I tutored her in algebra.  Eventually, more and more people started coming to me for help until I was tutoring five days a week.  After that, I went back to college to get my teaching credential because I enjoyed helping the students out.”

While working as a teacher for twelve years, Mr. Lemei says he has enjoyed “the energy and open-mindedness of my students.”  He says, “Coronado High is a great school because it isn’t too big or too small.  Students here also have a lot of support from their parents, which has such a positive impact on their learning experience.” 

With such a broad career under his belt, Lemei says, “I think the most important skill a student can have for the best learning experience is self-motivation.  I haven’t ever met anyone who is self-motivated that hasn’t met their goals.”

Lemei also says, “My favorite job has been teaching and I think it’s the best use of my skills.  If I had to do it over again, I would without a doubt be a teacher.”

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Marie Balfour

Online Editorial Intern

eCoronado.com

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