Social Science

Social Science Faculty

Tyler Tomei, Department Chair

Tyler Tomei has been an educator at Mt. Eden High School since 2016. He is currently teaching AP Government and AVID.

Mr. Tomei was born and raised in San Lorenzo. He was a graduate of Arroyo High School before moving on to Chabot College and finally earning his Bachelors in Sociology from UC San Diego where he was a college athlete. Mr. Tomei has a passion for the Bay Area as well as his students and hopes to encourage civic minded engagement and a lifelong curiosity for learning.

Mr. Tomei is also involved with a variety of other groups on campus. He is the AVID Coordinator, Chair of Mt. Eden's School Site Council (SSC), and is the Head Swim Coach.

When he is not teaching, Mr. Tomei enjoys hanging out with his family and friends, going for a swim, and cheering on some of his favorite Bay Area sports teams!

Joseph Binger

Joseph Binger has been an educator at Mt. Eden High School since 2010 and in HUSD since 2001. He is currently teaching AP World History, World History and U.S. History and Ethnic Studies courses.

Mr. Binger was born and raised in New York. He has a Master’s Degree in History from The State University of New York at Albany. Mr. Bingerhas enjoyed having a positive influence on his students and sharing his love of history with them.

Mr. Binger is also the Chess Club advisor at Mt. Eden.

When he is not teaching, Mr. Binger enjoys spending time with his family and friends, traveling, and playing music on the piano, keyboard, and guitar. Each year he brings his keyboard to school and plays songs from different historical time periods for his students.

Gabriel De La Cruz

Gabriel Dela Cruz is a Bay Area native and Social Science teacher at Mt. Eden High School in Hayward, California, where he also teaches Peer Advocacy, a course that trains students in conflict resolution and restorative practices. Beyond his high school classroom, Gabriel is the Co-Founder and Director of Curriculum for Music Tech Bay Area, expanding access to music production and technology education across the region. He also serves as an Ethnic Studies professor at CSU East Bay, teaching courses rooted in liberation, culture, and community empowerment. In addition, Gabriel is the owner of The Stacks Record Shop, a hub for music, culture, and local artistry. Through his work in education, music, and community building, Gabriel is dedicated to fostering creativity, justice, and leadership in the next generation.

Steven Elliott

Schuyler Hall

Schuyler Hall began his teaching career at De Anza High School (Richmond) before transitioning to Mt. Eden in 2026. He is currently teaching World History and U.S. Government and Economics.

Mr. Hall is not a new face on the Mt. Eden campus, though. Born and raised in Hayward, he is both a Mt. Eden alumnus and has served as the Head Coach of Track & Field and Cross Country programs since 2017.

Mr. Hall received his bachelor’s degrees in Political Economy and Psychology from Williams College (Massachusetts) and his master's degree in Organizational Communication from the University of Denver. He previously worked as a career official in the federal government before becoming an educator.

Aakansha Nandini

Aakansha Nandini began her teaching career in 2005 and at Mt Eden High School since 2016. She is currently teaching AP World and World History courses.

Ms. Nandini was born and raised in Fiji Islands. She has a Bachelor's degree in Education and Social Science and a Post Graduate in Development Studies and Governance from University of the South Pacific. She has experience in teaching Social Science, History and Geography.

She is very passionate about being around children and helping them succeed at school. Ms. Nandini loves to teach AP World History classes as it challenges her teaching and skills every time and gives her a chance to do more history.

Ms. Nandini's favorite pastimes are gardening and singing. She enjoys being around nature as it gives her more sense of calmness, joy and creativity.

Aidan Nguyen

Aidan Nguyen is a new teacher at Mt. Eden High School, starting in 2024. He has taught U.S. history, government, and economics.

Mr. Nguyen was born in San Jose, but lived in Hayward half his life. Like his students, he also was a student at Mt. Eden High School. Once he graduated, he went to Chabot College, then transferred to San Jose State University where he obtained a bachelor's degree in history and social science.

Outside of school, Mr. Nguyen likes to travel, try different things, bike, and play video games. Everyday, he hopes to have students feel welcomed and included in his classroom and all of Mt. Eden.

Dallen Terrell

Dallen Terrell is in his eighth year as a teacher, and originally started as a substitute in 2017. He transitioned to a full-time teaching position in the same year at KIPP: San Francisco College Prep.

He currently teaches 12th grade American Government & Economics and AP U.S. Government & Politics. In the past he has taught U.S. History & Ethnic Studies, 10th grade World History, and 9th grade pre-AP World History. Since the 2024-2025 school year Mr. Terrell has been the club advisor for the Mt. Eden High School Anime Club.

Mr. T (his teacher name) is originally from Austin, Texas where his core family still lives today. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in economics from Texas State University.

Outside of the classroom Mr. T likes to travel to locations around the world with his partner -- eating foods of all sorts, exploring new places, and soaking in the local culture. He likes to get outside, swim, hike, see live music, play video games, watch science fiction movies, and spend time with his family. He is an avid follower of all things politics in the world, and seeks to inspire the same fire and civic engagement in his students.

Mr. Binger stands with Pearl Harbor Survivor

Honoring Pearl Harbor Survivor Mickey Ganitch Through a New Student Scholarship

Joe Binger is honored to share that he has been selected as the recipient of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors (SDPHS) National Teacher Award.

The award has special meaning because it grew out of a connection with the late Mickey Ganitch, a Pearl Harbor survivor, and his wife, Barbara Ganitch. Late this past school year, Barbara visited Joe Binger at Mt. Eden High School and encouraged him to apply for the national award. As part of the application, Joe submitted a detailed lesson plan focused on Pearl Harbor, letters of recommendation, and a proposal explaining how he would use the $1,000 award if selected.

Joe shared that his goal would be to use the award money to establish a student scholarship in honor of Mickey Ganitch.

Mickey believed deeply in the importance of remembering Pearl Harbor and the people who experienced it. This scholarship will help ensure that his memory and his story continue to be shared with future generations of Mt. Eden students.

At the 2027 Senior Awards Night, the Mickey Ganitch Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a Mt. Eden senior who demonstrates perseverance, maintains a positive attitude, and shows determination to succeed despite the challenges they may face. These qualities reflect the character and spirit Mickey demonstrated throughout his life and honor the sacrifices made by those who served and defended our nation following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

For many years to come, students at Mt. Eden will continue to learn about Pearl Harbor, the experiences of those who lived through it, and the story of a remarkable man named Mickey Ganitch who once shared his experiences with students and staff.

Through this scholarship, Mickey's legacy will continue to live on at Mt. Eden

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