Corps Teachers' Profiles

Thea Le Boeuf

Degree: Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, San Diego State University

B.S., Child Development, San Diego State University
Teaching position: Second Grade, Jefferson Elementary

Joining us from Orange County, California, Thea brings a strong background in elementary education and child development to Oakland City Teacher Corps.  Focusing on improving the educational foundation of young children, she earned her Professional Clear Teaching Credential in 2001, shortly after graduating with honors (Magna Cum Laude) from San Diego State University.  Prior to teaching in Oakland, Thea worked as a teacher’s assistant, student teacher, substitute teacher, and first grade teacher - all in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Thea has been teaching second grade students at Jefferson Elementary for the past three years. She strives to “make a positive impact on students’ lives by providing a safe and caring classroom environment, as well as promoting academic excellence.”   In the classroom, she has built a strong classroom culture based on open communication, goal setting, and conflict resolution which is addressed through daily class meetings.  Thea says that, while teaching in high-need schools can be a bit of a rollercoaster, Corps Teachers make a real difference in Oakland because they are committed to “teaching where great teachers are needed the most.” 

David Cammarata

Degree:  MA, Special Education Mild to Moderate, Loyola Marymount University

B.A., Sociology, Oberlin College

Teaching Position:  1st-3rd Grade Special Day Class, Think College Now

David has spent the past three years teaching in the Oakland Unified School District. Prior to moving to Oakland, David joined Teach For America and worked in South Los Angeles as a Special Day Class teacher. After he fulfilled his teaching commitment he wanted to continue his career in education. “I was looking to move North after my time in Los Angeles and the OCTC provided me the opportunity for a stream-lined hiring process as well as solid support when it came to finding the right school site for me.”

David really enjoys working with young people. He takes particular pride in providing high quality special education services to students in high need and low income communities. “Working in a self-contained special day class for students with mild-moderate disabilities is replete with challenging experiences with students. The important thing, for me and my students, is to consistently focus on our learning and when difficulties arise we work hard to center ourselves and remember why we come to school every day.” 

Aly Roth

Degree:  CA Single Subject Credential, CSU East Bay

B.A., Politics, UC Santa Cruz

Teaching Position:  Social Studies, Community Day School

A Bay Area native, Aly always knew she wanted to make a difference by addressing education inequalities and impacting student achievement. “Growing up, my family experienced many changes in a short period of time that have allowed me to relate to many of the experiences and situations my students face. My student teaching was completed in a city that gave me an introductory understanding of gang warfare, racial tension and the traumatic, life-changing exposure that many of my students have to violence. The school structure was also overly burdened by bureaucracy, which led to poor communication from the top down and unhappy teachers unwilling to adapt to the needs of their students. I am able to affect positive change on my campus and have meaningful discussions with my administrator due to the experience I gained at that school. I can approach my students with a more realistic and sympathetic perspective because of the social situations I encountered and observed in the community, also.”

When asked what attracted Aly to the Oakland City Teacher Corps program, she replied, “Pretty simple: I knew I wanted to teach in Oakland to help kids who needed great teachers. OCTC guaranteed a position in the district I wanted to serve, so it was a perfect match!”

Aly is currently in her second year of teaching in Oakland. She admits that teaching is not always easy. “ I teach at a Community Day School, so many of the situations I encounter are on the ‘extreme’ end of the scale, and it can make for some very challenging, frustrating and deflating days. At the same time, because my students are facing so many obstacles, their successes are the greatest moments ever. We have had some fantastic field trips to community resources, including a horse ranch and the Crucible. I have seen students who have lost all hope turn it around to become strong students and see gains in their CST scores. I have found that I have to be strict and flexible at the same time because no situation is the same as another. My toughest challenge has been to create a safe, encouraging space for students who are so disenfranchised. The most important thing with our kids is that you walk the walk instead of talking. I try not to make any promises and instead live out things that they have never been shown.” Aly looks forward to the “aha” moments in her classroom. “There is absolutely nothing like seeing someone that you passionately believe in begin to believe in themselves. It is magical.”

Amy Wilder

Degree:  M.Ed, Multicultural Education, Eastern University

B.A., Gender Studies, Brown University

Teaching Position:  Special Education Resource Specialist,  Oakland High School

For several years Amy worked for a variety of non-profit organizations. Amy decided to change careers in 2005 because she believed she could do something more meaningful. “In my previous work experience, something was definitely missing. I was drawn to education because I knew that students were not receiving a quality education when there were so many teacher vacancies. I believe education is a civil rights issue - one that my generation must take responsibility for. Teaching allows me to have a tangible impact on future generations. Teaching makes me feel connected to youth and keeps every day interesting and fresh.”

Amy is excited to be teaching in Oakland. She believes that her students have the opportunity to make significant academic gains over the course of one year. “My students are very bright and are committed to meeting Our Big Goal, which is reaching 80% mastery on all of our objective tests.”She continues to informally and formally assess her students to measure comprehension.

Amy began her teaching career in 2005. She worked as a Special Education Teacher at a high-needs school in Philadelphia. Amy was drawn to the teaching profession because she believed she could make a difference. “I knew that I could positively impact student’s lives and student achievement.” Amy decided to relocate to the West Coast, join the Oakland City Teacher Corps, and continue her commitment to impacting education and working with students who need her most. “I am very pleased with my teaching experience so far at Oakland High. I have an incredible department that supports my work and as a result my students are showing growth.”

When asked what she enjoys most about teaching Amy responded, “I love when students realize that they are brilliant. When they show creativity and develop ownership over our objectives they build their confidence and that is exciting.”