El Toro High School's Innovation and Learning Center is named in the memory of ETHS teacher Bill Bailey.  Mr. Bailey was the 1990 dedicatee in Clearly Imagine, the 17th edition of the El Toro High School Yearbook.  In that edition, former ETHS student Andrea Higuera wrote this piece about Mr. Bailey: 

Mr. Bill Bailey has a unique way of combining teaching with humor, energy, and intense passion for his subject.  He is an outstanding teacher, but his commitment to El Toro High School extends far beyond overall well-being of his students that sets him apart.  As Lauri Seamark started, “Mr. Bailey is more than a teacher; he is your friend.  I don’t think of him as just a teacher.”  Because of his ability to maintain this special balance and his dedication to the El Toro High School, the Charger Staff is proud to honor Mr. Bailey as the 1990 Yearbook Dedicatee.

Mr. Bailey was hired as an English Teacher at El Toro in 1980.  Since then he has also taught World History, U.S. History, A.P. European History, and Delphi.  In 1985 he founded the AP European History course on campus.  Not only did he spend a tremendous amount of time preparing the curriculum, but he has also spent endless hours preparing his students for this rigorous exam.  As a review of the coursework, he holds study sessions after school and on Saturday mornings close to the test date.  With a 95% passing rate, it is clear that his efforts have paid off for himself and his students who have received college credits.  The Delphi class is another special class for which Mr. Bailey is responsible.  It is aimed at preparing academically promising students for success on the PSAT and the SAT.  in addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Bailey acts as an academic advisor.  He is the advisor for the California Scholastic Federation (CSF) and the Delphi Program.  He coordinates History Day every year and keeps students posted on other academic competitions.  Beyond his official positions, Mr. Bailey is always there to answer students’ questions on any subject and to share his wealth of knowledge.

As an extension of his commitment to academic excellence, Mr. Bailey is a member of the Saddleback Valley Educator’s Association (SVEA).  This group of teachers negotiates contracts and works out problems within the district.  He has also been the SVEA delegate to the California Teachers Association State Council for seven years representing all of the teachers in the Saddleback Valley.  Outside of school, Mr. Bailey pursues a wide variety of other interests.  In accordance with his interest in history, he lives in a historical home in Fullerton with his wife Beth.  Mr. Bailey also loves bike riding and traveled to Europe las summer to watch the Tour de France.  Listening to classical music and collecting rare books are among his other pastimes. 

Mr. Bailey is clearly unique in his ability to act as both a teacher and friend to his students.  Kathy Kim summarized this quality: 'Some say that Mr. Bailey doesn’t have any kids.  I think he has hundreds.  Just like school is a second home to a lot of students, Mr. Bailey is a second father to many of us.  He gives us tremendous guidance and motivation, yet he talks to us like we are friends.  Mr. Bailey is my best friend because he knows me better than I know myself.  I know that all of his "kids" feel the same.  Whether you need to find a college or a prom date, Mr. B is the one to see!'

In 2019, the "Bill Bailey Memorial Library" at ETHS officially changed its name to the "Bill Bailey Innovation and Learning Center."

Memories from Mr. Bailey's students, Class of 1993

When I first arrived at ETHS, I was new and quite lonely and Mr. Bailey was kind enough to pen his heart and make a new student more comfortable. - Tam Trinh

Mr. Bailey's teaching extended far beyond the classroom.  His inspiration touched and strengthened my life.  He will alwyas hold a place in my heart and in my memories. - Holly Branin

It was hard losing Mr. Bailey, but it is going to be easy to remember him. - Tobi Quinto

Those who knew him, loved and learned from him.  Those who didn't will never know what they would have missed. - Long Le

Mr. Bailey made us laugh and smile.  He made us think and he taught us to always look at the future and the opportunities that lay ahead. - Jill Jackson

I'll never forget how he gave up his Saturdays to help us review for the European AP test. - Traci McCrimmon

I will always remember Mr. Bailey for his encouragement.  At times when I had no faith in myself, he gave me confidence. - Cindy Chiang

Even though I only knew Mr. Bailey for a year, it feels as if i knew him for a lifetime. - Carol Kim

He was the best teacher I ever had because he didn't just teach, he made everything come alive... - Manisha Patel

Mr. Bailey was one of those teachers we come across once in our life.  He inspired us to learn about life.  He always wanted to know that something extra special about each person. - Janet Yazdi

The only thing I regret is I never really truly to to say "Thank you" and make sure he knew how much he meant to us all. - Maggie Weed

He was one of the only teachers I know who was there not for himself, but for the students.  I'm glad I knew him and had the chance to receive his support and help.  Carpe diem, guys... Mr. Bailey did. - Amanda Stack

From the June 12, 1992 edition of the BullETin

The Art Installation

In December of 2022 the above write-up on Mr. Bailey was posted on the El Toro High School website.  The response was well-received, and created momentum for a permanent installation that would positively impact school culture.  The goal for this permanent installation was threefold:  1.) to remind the students, staff, and community of who Mr. Bailey was, 2.) to show the positive impact that our school has on our students and the community, and 3.) to preserve the history of our school.  

The inspiration for the art piece was the emotional response one has when viewing the vibrant artwork of Andy Warhol.  Digital Media Arts teacher, Mrs. Nadal, and ETHS student Rachel Edwards (class of 2025) ran with this idea and created a vector file in Illustrator, an Adobe program, using a portrait of Mr. Bailey.  Illustrator uses math formulas, anchors, and paths to create sharp, clean artwork and is a standard for graphic designers.  Engineering teacher, Mr. Ford, and ETHS student Alexander Duesund (Class of 2023), carried out the next step by designing the bi-layered 3D piece using CorelDRAW, sculpted the image on twelve 20 x 30 sheets using a laser cutter, painted the layers, and then assembled the sheets to create a stunning work of art.

The entire project came together organically, evolved over several months, and was 100% student created.  The entire Charger community is proud of this work.  It is part painting and part sculpture.  It is truly a statement piece!

The Bill Bailey Art Installation unveiling, November 1, 2023.  From Left to Right:  Mr. Ford, Engineering Teacher; Mrs. Nadal, Digital Media Arts Teacher, Rachel Edwards (Class of 25'), Alex Duesund (Class of 23'), Mr. Hosseinzadeh, Assistant Principal.

The Process

                  

                  

 

The Learning Center is a place for students to study and complete work.  We have arranged for teachers to be available for help every day during lunch and after school from 3:00-4:30 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  It will be closed on Minimum Days and Final Exam Days.

Students in our National Honor Society (NHS) will also provide Peer Tutoring in our Learning Center on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during lunch. The students tutors are high-achieving students who are earning volunteer hours by serving in the Learning Center. The student tutors are signing up for shifts during lunch and afternoons based on their availability. We are not able to guarantee availability because we do not know how many students will come in to get their help, so they are assisting walk-ins who want their help in core classes.

The Learning Center Hours

High School Textbooks

Using Destiny, students can search the library catalog to find materials.

ETHS Library Catalog

Find Library Materials

In order to find materials, follow these steps:

1. Visit ETHS's Destiny Page
2. Log in with your username and password
3. Search by Keyword, Author, Title, Subject, or Series

More Information

• Select "Details" next to the title to get additional information about the book
• You can create your own list of books when logged in
• Check the "My Info" tab to see all the materials currently checked out in your name

• Encyclopedia Britannica. SVUSD students and teachers have access to Encyclopedia Britannica and Image Quest, which provide K-12 teachers and students with an easy way to collect articles, images, and videos.
  • Username: svusd
  • Password: learn
• EBSCO. SVUSD students and teachers have access to EBSCO as an additional research resource. For 7-12th grade teachers and students. 
  • Username: svusd
  • Password: ebsco
• EasyBib. The EasyBib website is FREE and allows the student to create accurate MLA, APA or Chicago style citations and check their papers for plagiarism and grammar errors.