(A guest post from Daniela Felix on our sister blog La Comadre, would love to hear some Oakland stories as well) Any first generation college student can attest to the importance of mentorship in supporting them through the college years. For first generation college students in particular, the first year of college can be an…
Student Voices
There’s no better way to understand the importance of improving our public schools than listening to the students themselves. If you have a story to tell, or know someone who does, hit us up on our Contact Page.
What Does It Mean To Be Yemeni At School? Getting Closer to Answers
(A guest post from Edrees Saied a recent graduate from Oakland Tech and one of Oakland’s Energy Convertors) What does it mean to be Yemeni at school? Who knows? But I’m finding communities that are helping me figure that out. After participating in the event, “Yemen: Global to Local to Household,” I got closer to learning how…
Her School Cut the Mic on this Courageous Valedictorian when She Talked About Sexual Assault, Please Read and Share the Full Story, and Help End a Culture of Silence
Lulabel Seitz is a model student to most, an example of hard work paying off, and rising from humble beginnings to a valedictorian. Her commencement speech at Petaluma High School touched on the challenges students faced in the North Bay; fires and displacement, a teacher strike, and her own personal struggles to climb the educational…
Why You Should Attend Black Grad Nights: A Graduate’s Reflection From Oakland Tech’s First
(A guest post from Edrees Saied, a graduating senior from Oakland Tech, headed to San Jose State in the Fall, who walked this week at Tech’s first Black graduation, he has some other powerful work here) Limitations only exist in the mind, so don’t get it confused. That’s what I said as I walked the…
He’s More Than Just a Teacher, Mr. Bey Is a Game Changer
This is a piece by Oakland student Alondra Gonzalez, part of the Energy Convertors Fellowship led by Charles Cole III. This is me with my teacher, Mr. Bey. In the six months our class has known him he has earned not only our respect, but our love. I met him my first day of freshman year. I…