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Administration:
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Preston Thomas: Principal
Mr. Thomas is a graduate of UC Davis and has been a teacher in Oakland for almost 20 years. He was a founding member of Life Academy and remains committed to providing transformative learning experiences for our students. As well as being our principal, Mr. Thomas is a member of the Science department. In his previous position as Assistant Principal at Life Academy, Mr. Thomas earned the title of “Oakland Unified School District’s Assistant Principal of the Year (2007)”.
Alicia Garibaldi: Administrative Office-Manager, School Secretary
Alicia grew up in Oakland, and has spent much of her professional career working for the Oakland school district. She does an extraordinary amount of tasks to keep the administrative side of Life Academy functioning, working closely with staff, teachers, parents and students to make sure that all administrative needs are met. Alicia's exemplary work and dedication earned her the title of “Oakland Unified School District’s Secretary of the Year (2007)”.
Venus Mesui: Site Coordinator, EDP Coach
Venus is a founding staff member of Life Academy, and her title of Site Coordinator does not adequately describe her level of service and dedication to the school. Venus advocates for parents and students, helps with administrative tasks, organizes community and student events, counsels and supports students, supports teachers and staff, and creates opportunities and positive experiences for our students. She is also our front-of-house manager, representing Life Academy to visiting officials and community members.
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Venus is a founding staff member of Life Academy, and her title of Site Coordinator does not adequately describe her level of service and dedication to the school. Venus advocates for parents and students, helps with administrative tasks, organizes community and student events, counsels and supports students, supports teachers and staff, and creates opportunities and positive experiences for our students. She is also our front-of-house manager, representing Life Academy to visiting officials and community members.
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Teachers:
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Antonio Acosta: Spanish for Native-Speakers (EPH), AP Spanish
email: acostatitohidalgo@gmail.com
Mr. Acosta is a graduate of UC Riverside and has been teaching for almost ten years. He had more than thirty jobs before becoming a teacher, and the many skills he gained in those professions helps to enrich his students' experiences: his previous involvement with forestry and environmental research comes in handy while teaching outdoor education on field trips into State and National Parks. Mr. Acosta also teaches boxing with the Extended-Day Program, and coordinates cultural events and displays for holidays like Día de los Muertos.
Richard Boettner: Calculus, Geometry, Math Analysis
email: richlizalex@sbcglobal.net
Mr. Boettner went to Arizona State University, and has been teaching for almost twenty years. In previous years, his love of cycling lead him to also teach cycling and triathlon classes, while his passion for social justice developed into an elective on the media and its influence on society, culture and politics. Mr. Boettner has also taught classes in outdoor education, hiking, boxing, fitness and debate/public speaking.
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Claire Crossett: Advanced Biology, Physiology; Internship Co-coordinator
email: claire.crossett@gmail.com
Ms. Crossett proudly hails from Chicago, Illinois. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Carleton College, where she spent time studying abroad in Ecuador, designing a reproductive health class for her peers and playing Ultimate Frisbee. Ms. Crossett has also spent time working in Pediatric and Emergency Health Care with Shriners Hospital and Hospital de Dr. Carlos del Pozo Melgar, respectively. She looks forward to sharing her excitement and experience with her Physiology class, and developing similar opportunities for her Junior and Senior Interns. In her spare time, Ms. Crossett enjoys traveling, reading, dancing and playing frisbee.
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Toai Dao: Biology, Physical Education
email: toaidao@gmail.com
Mr. Dao is a graduate of the University of Illinois, majoring in Science and Sociology. He has been teaching in Oakland for almost ten years. As well as being a member of the science department, Mr. Dao has taught electives like gardening and welding. He often spends his summers participating in science-education programs, or working in laboratories and research centers around the Bay Area.
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Annie Hatch: Humanities (10th-grade)
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Annie Hatch: Humanities (10th-grade)
email: annie.hatch@gmail.com
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Marc Hua: Geometry, Advanced Algebra
email: mr.marc.hua@gmail.com
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Suneal Kolluri: Humanities (11th-grade), Economics, US Government
email: mr.kolluri@yahoo.com
Mr. Kolluri earned a BA in Political Science from UCLA and a Master's degree in education at Stanford University. In his senior year at UCLA, he wrote an honor's thesis on the involvement of government institutions in the development of ethnic conflict. He also spent time studying abroad in Spain in order to improve his Spanish language abilities. He grew up in the Bay Area, has taught in small schools around the Bay Area, and has dedicated his time to youth outreach and education. Mr. Kolluri has also taught a cultural studies class here at Life Academy, as well as Life Skills, soccer, and public speaking.
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Yuji Okamura: Humanities (11th-grade), English (12th-grade), Phys.Ed.
email: yujiokamura13@yahoo.com
email: yujiokamura13@yahoo.com
Mr. Okamura is a graduate of UC Davis, where he majored in Economics and Anthropology. Out of sheer boredom, he left for countryside Japan after graduation to teach English, snowboard, and travel around Asia. He has stayed there for three years before returning to the Bay Area. After a brief stint in the corporate world, he returned to school, earning a Master’s in Education from Stanford University. Mr. Okamura is stoked to be a part of Life Academy and looks forward to continuing his teaching career with its talented students and staff. In his spare time, Mr. Okamura trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and surfs the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean.
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Eva Oliver: Introduction to College Writing (12th grade)
email: miss.e.oliver@gmail.com
Ms. Oliver earned her B.A. in English, with an emphasis in teaching, from Sonoma State University, where she was also a co-captain of the Sonoma State Women's Lacrosse Team. She currently attends UC Berkeley, where she earned her teaching credential in June 2011 and will earn her M.A. in Education in May 2012. During the 2010 - 2011 school year, Ms. Oliver did her student-teaching at Life Academy in Ms. Thomas's 9th grade English class and co-taught the World Dance post-session class. She is very happy to be back at Life Academy this year. Ms. Oliver has also taught and coached lacrosse, soccer, dance, and physical education at other sites. Outside of school, Ms. Oliver loves to run, play lacrosse and soccer, hike, and travel. Ms. Oliver also works with the Extended Day Program at Life, teaching Digital Journalism and coaching the Young Women's Empowerment Group ('RAW').email: miss.e.oliver@gmail.com
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Jessica Oya: Physics, Chemistry, Advanced Biology
email: jessica.oya@gmail.com
Ms. Oya is a graduate of Scripps and the Graduate Theological Union, and grew up in Hawaii and Southern California. Before coming to teach at Life Academy, she served two years in the Peace Corps as an HIV/AIDS health educator in Swaziland. She coached the girls running club, and enjoys hiking, being outdoors, and teaching all kinds of subjects like geography, math, and - of course - science!.email: jessica.oya@gmail.com
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email: alexanderjamesrice@gmail.com
Alexander Rice: Special Education (Academic and Social Competency)
Born and raised in Berkeley and Oakland, Alex studied political science and played rugby at UC Davis, and interned with Congresswoman Barbara Lee in the Capitol. He went on to earn his Master's in Public Administration from San Francisco State. Alex has worked with kids in many capacities, including asthma education through the American Lung Association and career awareness promotion with Pathways for Kids. He's also coached local youth sports, including North Oakland Little League Baseball, loves being outdoors as much as possible, and is excited to foster this appreciation in his students.
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Emily Rigotti: Health and Bioscience, Physiology;
Academy Director, Internship Co-coordinator
Academy Director, Internship Co-coordinator
email: emilyrigotti@gmail.com
Ms. Rigotti is a graduate of UC Berkeley, and a passionate fan of the Cal Bears. She also has Masters of Education from Alliant International University. In addition to her classes in the Science department, she has taught a cooking class at Life Academy, conducted service-learning activities, and coordinated student involvement in health-awareness programs around the Bay Area.
./Lindsay San Martin: Special Education (Resource Program), Reading
email:
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Lindsay has chosen to take her journeys in and around the bay. She attended Sonoma State University and received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in American Multicultural Studies. She spent some time in San Francisco working for the American Heart Association educating the Asian and Latino communities about heart disease and stroke. She now resides in Oakland and is proud to be educating the community she grew up in. On weekends she enjoys long walks on the beach, a bike ride, soccer and any of the great food on offer in Oakland.
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Born and raised in the Bay Area, Lindsay has chosen to take her journeys in and around the bay. She attended Sonoma State University and received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in American Multicultural Studies. She spent some time in San Francisco working for the American Heart Association educating the Asian and Latino communities about heart disease and stroke. She now resides in Oakland and is proud to be educating the community she grew up in. On weekends she enjoys long walks on the beach, a bike ride, soccer and any of the great food on offer in Oakland.
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Jill Thomas: English (9th-grade)
email: ms.j.thomas@gmail.com
Ms. Thomas earned her undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University, and her Master’s in Education from UC Berkeley. She is a published poet and writer, and regularly contributes to the Teaching Tolerance blog. Ms. Thomas has also taught food and culture studies and outdoor education. She speaks Spanish, plays soccer, and loves to travel.
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Loraine Woodard: Literacy Specialist (TSA)
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Loraine Woodard: Literacy Specialist (TSA)
email:
Ms. Woodard is thrilled to be able to support Life Academy students and teachers this year. This is her first year working in Oakland, after teaching Humanities, ESL and Reading in San Francisco for ten years. She also taught and wrote curriculum while living in Cuernavaca, Mexico, for 12 years. She will be working half time at Life Academy (the other half at Oakland International), teaching Reading Intervention and supporting teachers as Reading Coach. Ms. Woodard discovered she could go to college and have fun traveling at the same time, at New College of California and The School for International Training. When she escapes from the world of education, Ms. Woodard likes to go on hikes and bike rides with her two teenagers, read (of course) and swim in the ocean (she may disappear on those unusually warm autumn days).
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Kimberly Young: Spanish, Reading
email: ms.kimberly.young@gmail.com
Ms. Young has no idea who to root for at the Big Game each year between Stanford and UC Berkeley: she gradated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Ethnic Studies and then went to Stanford University to earn a Master's in Education. She was the first person in her entire family to go to college, and strongly believes that a good education is a right for all people: "knowledge is power and we should all be powerful". Ms. Young has also taught Humanities, Creative Writing, Yearbook, Documentary Film-making, Dance and Life Skills.
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Staff:
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Dania Cabello: Soccer Coach for Extended-Day Programs
Dania Cabello: Soccer Coach for Extended-Day Programs
email: dania8@gmail.com
Margarita Guzman: Parent Liason
email: mguzman@alternativesinaction.org
Julio Magaña: Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator
email: jmagana@alternativesinaction.org
Mr. Julio was born in Delano, CA. to a Mexicana farm-worker turned union organizer, and a Chicano SDSU student/UFW-volunteer. Raised in rural San Diego, he left for UC Berkeley and earned a degree in Comparative Ethnic Literature, with a Minor in Education. In 2001, he helped create the CCIC programs, and later returned to teach Hip Hop, gardening, cooking, swimming and soccer. A co-founder of BRWN BFLO-Hip Hop Edutainment, “SOMOS ONE” now helps facilitate extra-curricular enrichment clubs, such as the Town Visionaries (visual art crew), Rapid Fire Performance Club, the Be A Man young-gentlemen’s circle and serves as Life’s Community Justice Liaison. Si Se Puede.
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Pablo Venturino: Director of Community Programs
email: pventurino@alternativesinaction.org
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Volunteers:
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Brooke Fitzgerald: (former Life teacher) Website.
Candace Hamilton: (former Life teacher) support for special classes/events
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Adam Roberts: (former Life teacher) support for special classes/events .
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Life Support! Special Programs
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College and Career Information Center (CCIC)
Director: Nanci Roman
The CCIC has been a part of Life Academy since we opened in 2001, and has been a huge support in assisting our graduates to enter higher education. The CCIC supports Life Academy students by finding pathways to colleges, internships, and jobs in their chosen fields, as well as assisting students with applications, personal statements, resumes, and interview preparation.
Alternatives In Action: Community and Extended-Day Programs (EDP)
Director: Pablo Venturino
phone: (510) 535-7138
phone: (510) 535-7138
Alternatives in Action works with young people who have 'leadership potential', aiming to prepare them for college, career and community. AIA sponsors and co-ordinates Life's Extended-Day Program. EDP occurs before, during and after school, and provides academic and emotional support through health education, creative arts, sports programs and fun!