Neil Cuadra

Neil:

is a former Palms parent.
has been a volunteer for LAUSD schools since 1987 and for Palms since 1994.
co-founded the Palms Technology Committee.
has served as a Friends of Palms board member.
maintained Palms classroom computer hardware and software from 1994 to 2002.
helped set up and maintain the Palms computer lab.
created the Palms website in 2010 and has maintained it since then.
trains and advises Palms staff and volunteers on use of the website.
created the 2020 and 2021 Palms Virtual Culmination websites.
proposed and led the Time Capsule Project in 2026, excavating the 1976 Time Capsule and burying a 2026 Time Capsule on the quad.
is a fan of April Fools' Day, posting one fake news story each year to see if you notice!

Awards

In Spring 2008, Palms Middle School named its computer classroom Room 215, the N Cuadra Computer Lab, in recognition of Neil's 14th year of Palms volunteer work, with a plaque installed on the classroom door.

In May 2017, Palms Principal Dr. Derek Moriuchi presented Neil with a plaque for his 23 years of service to Palms as website manager and volunteer.

In May 2026, Los Angeles City Council member Katy Yaroslavsky presented Neil with a plaque recognizing his decades of service to Palms Middle School and his leadership in overseeing the Time Capsule Project.

2026-2027

17th year as Palms Middle School website manager
33rd year as a Palms Middle School technology volunteer
40th year as an LAUSD technology volunteer (Mar Vista Elementary School, Brentwood Science Magnet, Palms Middle School, and Hamilton High School)
50 school years of volunteering, because 10 of the 40 years were at two of those schools at once

About Me

I chose a career in software engineering, designing and writing code ranging from database system software to mobile apps and interactive websites.

To be a software engineer, it helps to think logically and be able to explain a process step by step. This video about making a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich is hilarious, but it also makes great points about writing clear, step-by-step instructions.

Guest lectures

Neil has been a guest speaker, giving talks to Palms classes about

Color blindness and genetics
J. Paul Getty, the Getty Center, and the Getty Villa
Inventions of the ancient Romans
The Gregorian and Julian Calendars
Career Day: Software Developer
Journalism and grammar
Lunar and solar eclipses
Career Day: School Volunteer
L. Frank Baum and his book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"
Career Day: Website Manager
The Palms Time Capsule
Genetics
Magazine article authorship