Our Team

2023 Teacher Resident

I am currently working at East Oakland Pride Elementary School in a Bilingual Kindergarten Classroom. I received a B.A from the University of California, Berkeley in Ethnic Studies and Geography. I am currently in a M.A/Teaching Credential program at Alder Graduate School of Education, aiming to get a Multiple Subjects Credential.

As an educator, I aim to inspire my students to see all of the potential they already have within them and push them to become the best possible versions of themselves every single day. As a Bilingual teacher it is imperative that we leverage their home language as an asset and not something to be frowned upon. Our Bilingual/Multilingual students have endless amounts of knowledge that they bring to school, yet they are disproportionately dropping out of school. My goal is to create a classroom environment that harnesses their knowledge and places them at the center of their learning. I am incredibly grateful to be in this position as a first generation child of Mexican immigrants from Southeast San Diego. From 619 to the world!

2023 Teacher Resident

As an educator I would like to create a safe and nurturing environment for all students to learn. My love, dedication, commitment, compassion, and empathy is what continues to enhance my relationships with students and families. I would like to break down any barriers to create access for all students to receive instruction. By doing so I will apply culturally relevant pedagogies that my students will be able to utilize and be accessible for all learners. I will teach student-interest and materials that are relevant to what is happening with my students.

2023 Teacher Resident

I am a Nigerian-American Igbo, and I am teaching at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in West Oakland. I am in a Multiple Subjects program at Cal State East Bay in Hayward. I am affiliated with Man The Bay in the Urban Ed Academy program. I have a BA in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz. I am originally from East Oakland, Oakland, CA. I moved to nearby Antioch in 2003, and then to Tracy in 2009. I am currently an intern teacher in Mr. James Jacobs II’s class. I want to ensure that all the students I come in contact with will become better students, better individuals, and proficient in all of the subjects they encounter.

2023 Teacher Resident

I am excited to begin my career in special education because I believe strongly that all of our students deserve access to the best possible education. In my year as a resident I want to learn everything I can about supporting our students with disabilities in reaching their academic potential and developing a positive self-image.

2023 Teacher Resident

I am Mexican-American California native and I am student teaching at Manzanita SEED in a dual immersion Kindergarten classroom. I believe that education should be a place for students to explore their passions, develop curiosity, celebrate identity, carry their growth, develop critical consciousness, and be in joy with one another. I was born and raised in Bishop, California and attended the University of California, Davis where I received a BA in Economics and History. I am currently an MA and Teacher candidate at UC Berkeley and recently returned to the states after completing a Fulbright Grant in Oaxaca, Mexico. Before moving to Oaxaca, I worked at 826 Valencia in the Mission District of San Francisco, where I taught creative writing to 3rd-5th bilingual students. I am thrilled to be working with students in Oakland and cannot wait to engage in learning with my students. When I am not in the classroom, you can find me cooking, reading, dancing, or binging reality tv. 

2023 Teacher Resident

I'm in the Berkeley Teacher Education program at UC Berkeley and my student teaching placement is at Skyline High School in a Chemistry classroom.  I came to teaching via two previous careers in environmental engineering and software engineering.  I'm a former rugby player and high school rugby coach, and I really enjoy doing anything outside (hiking, biking, climbing, kayaking, snowboarding, playing pickleball).  To me, the purpose of education is to engage students' curiosity about the world around them and empower them to create change in that world.

2023 Teacher Resident

Hello all, I believe that the purpose of an education is to help and guide a person on this life journey. I am currently a resident teacher at Elmhurst Middle School, and have a BS degree in criminology. Since having a child, I have always been interested in helping the youth in my community. I am from Alameda Ca and have roots in Oakland as well. I have a passion for helping those in need, and awakening the conscience in those that are still sleeping.

2023 Teacher Resident

I am currently pursuing a masters and credential in Special Education with Alder Graduate School of Education. I will be working with kindergarten, fourth, and fifth grade students at Bridges Academy as a Resource Specialist. I am so excited to begin a career in Special Education because I believe all students are deserving of effective and caring teachers that provide students with positive learning experiences. I want to be a teacher that connects with my students, builds community, learns from others, and makes efforts to change the status quo. I believe that all those acts come from a place of love and I will lead with love in my practices as a teacher. 

2023 Teacher Resident

I love OUSD and being there to support colleagues and admin in our diverse population. My major is in Ethnic Studies, but I have studied physical sciences, and computer science/network technology extensively. I have enjoyed working at OUSD in high school, middle school, elementary, and pre-k.

2023 Teacher Resident

I am currently working on my Masters in Special Education (RSP), at Alder GSE. I have been an educator with OUSD for 10 years as a paraeducator. I’ve been at CCPA for 7 seven years and now working at Elmhurst Middle School as an Alder Resident in SpED RSP. I like to travel and spend time with my family. I enjoy hip-hop and R&B music.

I chose to be a SpEd RSP teacher because it inspires me to help and see how much students have grown, especially those who struggle the most and I can relate to our students' struggles. I hope to be a positive role model for them and for our community.  And be a part of bridging our cultures together.

2023 Teacher Resident

I believe the future of education is when everyone is learning which is why I have chosen to become a teacher in OUSD. I aim to bridge the gap between equity and justice in doing so. I am from the Oakland Teacher Residency Cohort # 6 at Urban Education Academy Partnered with CalStateTeach. I am a Brooklyn Native and graduate from the University of California, Berkeley. In my spare time I am building.

2023 Teacher Resident

I am a Resident Teacher at a middle school, working as a Resource Specialist.  I believe that education is the great equalizer as it develops the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for individuals to pursue their passions.  Through education, we gain a deep comprehension of our unique world and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are invaluable in various aspects of our lives.  Education is not just about gaining academic knowledge but also supports personal growth.  It empowers people to make informed decisions and, my favorite, create lifelong learners!  Overall, education is essential as it only enhances personal development but also paves the way for people’s and society’s social and economic well-being.

2023 Teacher Resident

I believe that the purpose of education is to help students become kind, empathetic, and socially conscious in order to improve our community and future. I also believe that our role as educators is to question and reflect on our beliefs and continue growing with our students. Currently, I am getting my Masters in Education and Multiple Subject credential from the Berkeley Teacher Education Program at UC Berkeley. I am also student teaching at Manzanita SEED in a 5th grade bilingual classroom! I received a BA in Education Sciences from UC Irvine and minored in Bilingual Education and Spanish. Outside of school I enjoy taking pictures of people I love, exploring new restaurants, and watching movies!

2023 Teacher Resident

Hello! My name is Tyler Cardenas. I am currently working on a Master's Degree in Education and a Teaching Credential at UC Berkeley. I am a Cal alumni with a B.A. in Anthropology. This school year I am student teaching Spanish Language Arts and Humanities with Maestra Morgan at Melrose Leadership Academy (MLA) in Maxwell Park!I believe that the purpose of education is to produce holistically good human beings  that are socially conscious, empathetic, compassionate, committed to making the world a better place, and interested in living for more than themselves. I am a proud Latino educator originally from Ontario, California but I moved to the Bay Area three years ago and have been loving it! My partner and I live in Oakland, and in my free time I enjoy playing jazz saxophone and skateboarding!