Michelle (she/her) brings over 20 years of public sector experience in the Bay Area, with 12 of those years as the OUSD Wellness Coordinator.  As the Director of Programs for The Center, she leads education, programming, partnership and policy work to bring better food and opportunities to our students, staff and families. Michelle is an Oakland Unified parent to two OUSD students and has a Masters of Public Health from the University of Michigan.  

Sarah (she/her) joined Oakland Unified School District in 2010. She taught Biology at Skyline High School and 8th Grade Science at Life Academy. After teaching she joined the OUSD Science team working as a high school specialist and NGSS Coordinator, supporting K-12 science teaching and learning and District-wide science events like the Science Fair and Dinner with a Scientist. Sarah is passionate about getting students learning and exploring outside, building curriculum around authentic, community-centric projects and supporting student-led efforts to bring more environmental and climate change education to the District. As Education Coordinator at The Center, Sarah works with the team to design and support K-12 student programming, including Field Trips to The Center and in the community, high school internships and more. When not at work Sarah enjoys hiking and trying to complete the East Bay Regional Park District's yearly Trail Challenge, sending letters through the mail and meeting with her Book Club The Page Turners.

Kat (she/her) graduated from UCSC with a BA in American Studies and has an MS degree from Cal State in Educational Leadership. She holds a teaching credential and a Tier 2 administrative credential. Kat has a long history with OUSD. She began here in 1996 and has been a teacher, instructional facilitator, literacy coach, principal and Central Office partner. She is part of the Ed Programming Team at The Center and coordinates school gardens. While Kat was a teacher at Markham, she started a school garden there and is so happy that it is still a vibrant growing space! In her free time, she loves to garden (of course), exercise, run, read, eat delicious foods, play with my family and friends, have adventures, and travel.

Troy (he/him) started his journey working with Oakland Unified School District in 2023 as The Center’s Nutrition and Garden Education Specialist. He received two B.S. degrees in Biology and Secondary Education from the University of Nevada before continuing on to become a 9th-grade Biology teacher in Reno, NV. Several formative years later, he went back to school and earned a Master’s degree in Learning Sciences and Human Development from the University of California, Berkeley. He is now pursuing his passion for teaching unforgettable garden-to-table field trips to OUSD learners at The Center. In his free time, he loves traveling and spending every opportunity he can exploring the world. He's been to 34 states and 23 countries from Albania to Thailand. Outside is where he finds peace and is an avid climber, biker, yogi, and backpacker. He's excited to foster learner’s love for the natural world and create a space full of reciprocity and joy.

Michelle (she/her) is a dedicated advocate for underrepresented communities, inspired by a lifelong commitment to social justice. Growing up in a family childcare home, Michelle witnessed firsthand the power of community and education. This early experience fostered a deep passion for supporting others and led to the development of five core values: love, agency, community, integrity, and social justice. When not working, Michelle enjoys exploring Oakland's vibrant culture, supporting local businesses, and embracing the Bay Areas natural beauty through outdoor activities.

Abby (she/her) grew up in the Bay Area and has a deep appreciation for the local community and environment. She earned her B.S. in International Agricultural Development from UC Davis, and she is excited to return to OUSD where she previously served as a FoodCorps Service member (2018-2019). Food and garden education is her passion, and she is especially driven by high-impact work focusing on issues around food security and agency. Outside of work, Abby is an avid gardener (of course!), with a particular obsession for growing heirloom tomatoes and cut flowers. She also loves backpacking, traveling, cooking, floral arrangement, reading, and spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Lily!

Noelle (she/her) recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Global Studies and a Minor in Food Systems. During her college years, she learned screenprinting, made plant-based meat, and spent two years working on the community engagement and outreach team at UC Berkeley’s Basic Needs Center. She joined FoodCorps, driven by her Fresno, CA upbringing and a desire to continue learning about food education and nutrition after writing her Senior Thesis on school gardens in her hometown. She’s excited to create lasting memories and grow this year.

Kimmy (she/her) grew up in San Jose and recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Public Health. Sharing food and recipes has always been a joy, thanks to growing up at her parents’ Korean restaurant. This past year, Kimmy deepened her understanding of the local food system while working at the Agricultural Institute of Marin’s Farmers Markets in the Bay Area. She is excited to continue this journey, learning how to best support the school community and local farmers. In her free time, Kimmy enjoys scrolling through Instagram for new recipes to try, spending time with her dog, making ceramics, and running. She’s excited to spend the academic year with everyone.

Sam (he/him) grew up in Los Angeles and has been living in Oakland for the past year. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2023 with a degree in Environmental Studies and Economics. Always fascinated by food production and preparation, he interned at the Center for Agroecology during his time at UCSC, working on a farm that supplied food access programs for students. He also gained experience managing and cooking in several restaurants in Santa Cruz. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, biking, cooking, and spending time with his rabbit, Denny. He is eager to meet everyone and deepen his understanding of food systems.

Gaby (she/they) is excited to be working at the center this year! Originally from Los Angeles, she has been living in the Bay Area for the past four years. She recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Conservation and Resource Studies and Food Systems. While at Berkeley, Gaby worked as a manager at the Berkeley Student Farms. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, reading, crafting, and playing soccer. She is currently traveling and working on different farms in South America, eager to apply the principles and techniques she has learned.

Jaira (she/her) is originally from San Diego but spent most of her adulthood in San Francisco, where she received her BA in Liberal Studies from SFSU. After graduating, she moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, where she discovered a passion for baking and learning about local foods and farms. When not working, Jaira enjoys exploring new restaurants and bakeries, hiking with friends, and visiting farmers markets throughout the Bay Area. When she’s not thinking about food (which isn’t often), she enjoys playing music with friends, watercoloring, and basking in the sun. She is eager to create delicious food, join the team, and continue learning.

Jonathan (he/him) was born in Southern California, grew up in Taiwan, moved to Houston, Texas for college, and finally landed in the Bay two years ago for work. He volunteered at a heritage plant nursery where conversations about food systems and culturally relevant foodways made a big impact on him. As a fellow foodie and cooking enthusiast, he became curious about ingredients, leading him to explore farmers markets and friends’ gardens, where he is fascinated by the diversity of produce and the stories of those who cultivate it. Jonathan is excited to learn about the wide world of food and gardens with OUSD students.

Heidi (she/they) grew up in a small town in Baja and ended up in the Bay for college. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Conservation and Resources. Her love for cooking and gardening started with her dad, who would always let her play around in the garden and kitchen with him. This passion was reignited in college when she became fascinated with plant identification, urban farming, and herbalism. She recently interned at Alemany Farm, where she learned about irrigation, herb gardens, and community herbalism. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, soccer, and herb workshops. Heidi is excited to join the team and get to know everyone.