Life is a simple equation for SSCS Math teacher Dan Cornwell. Whatever the problem, the solution has always added up to the number of opportunities he can provide the children of Sharon Springs.

For Dan, that’s the correct answer.

Cornwell has taught Math to SSCS secondary school students for the last 16 years, from Algebra and Geometry to Calculus and Personal Finance. He’s even an Adjunct Professor at SUNY-Cobleskill for College Algebra or Statistics.

Outside the classroom, Cornwell took on a new role in February heading the Sharon Springs Youth Commission. The Youth Commission is a group of volunteers that provide activities in collaboration with the school and library to enhance children and teens’ social and physical health.

The focus, in this new dual role, “is to provide as many opportunities for our youth as possible,” Cornwell explained. “As a teacher this allows me to also help identify those areas of needs and reach more students than otherwise possible.”

“The best part about working at SSCS,” he said, “is the small town feel and the sense of community that is always present with each class that goes through the school.”

Cornwell’s short-term goals with the Youth Commission are to provide opportunities for youth such as field trips during school and over the summer in cooperation with the Schoharie County Youth Bureau, a fun Summer Recreation Program and a safe pool season.

Long term he envisions needed upgrades to the Sharon Springs pool area and facilities including a safer pool that is handicapped accessible and kid friendly with new bathrooms and changing areas. He’d also like to see a modernized Rec Center that provides youth programs beyond the summer months and a multi-use park that includes a playground and court for basketball, tennis, pickleball … “safe and family friendly.”

  “Today’s youth need a wide variety of things, including opportunities such as field trips, teen nights, an active Rec Center and a safe pool,” he said. “The goal is to supplement and provide the youth with recreational activities that helps them grow as individuals.”

Cornwell is a popular teacher with SSCS students, who in June, saw the Class of 2024 dedicate their yearbook to the man. He is also an Advisor to the Sophomore class, the Math Honor Society and the Yearbook Club.

Cornwell and his wife of 10 years have three children of their own: Gabriella, 7, a first grader at SSCS; Jaxson, 4, who will start Pre-K next fall and Michael, who will turn 2 in September. Rounding out their home is their cat, Oreo, Chocolate Lab, Lucy, four calves named Bella, Emma, Blippi and Lucky, two pigs named Bacon and Pork Chop, more than a hundred chickens, and thousands of Honey Bees. When he’s not looking out for local youth, Cornwell enjoys spending time with his family, working around the house, going on camping vacations, taking care of the animals and working with the bees.

With all that going on, Cornwell says he always looks forward to help and support from the community. If anyone would like to help out, donate, or become involved in the Youth Commission they can contact Dan Cornwell at (518) 852-4979.

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