OUSD Archives - Page 10 of 11

Oakland Art Teacher Thi Bui Urges Students to Draw, Think Outside the Box

February 13, 2013 Debora Gordon

Thi Bui, an art and digital media teacher at Oakland International High School, described herself as “a little reckless. I break a lot of rules. I’m very comfortable letting go of the reins if there

School-to-Prison Pipeline

February 13, 2013 Debora Gordon

By Debora Gordon Every time a student does poorly in school, or drops out, there is likely a great increase in the chances he will wind up in prison. I recall in my discussion with

Going to Prison, Part III: Lam Tells His Story

February 11, 2013 Debora Gordon

By Debora Gordon On Sunday, December 9th, I headed back to prison. When I arrived, I learned the previous day’s lock down had been lifted. Many of the same visitors were there again. The woman

Going to Prison, Part II: Getting In, the Visiting Room, and Lockdown

February 4, 2013 Debora Gordon

By Debora Gordon After my visit with Lt. Smith, I had some time to kill that Friday evening in Delano, California. While there may be more than meets the tourist eye, what the casual passer-through

‘Teacher Don’ Takes the Helm of OUSD’s New Adult Ed Learning Bus

January 30, 2013 Debora Gordon

By Debora Gordon One of the coolest things happening in the Oakland Unified School District right now is the high tech mobile adult education classroom, an RV outfitted with Wi-Fi and laptops, driven by Teacher

Education is My Weapon of Choice

December 26, 2012 Debora Gordon

One of the great challenges educators always face is how to fix the problems of the now while creating solutions for the long-term. As shocking as the Newtown shootings have been, I remain unshaken in my absolute conviction that the only way to stop all shooters, is through love, education, understanding, and compassion. I know that some will dismiss this as unrealistic, but it seems to me no less realistic than continuing to build up an armed society, to the point where everyone is prepared to shoot and every misunderstanding becomes potentially explosive.

Oakland Teacher Brings Class, Comfort to Sick Students in Homes & Hospitals

December 12, 2012 Debora Gordon

Some of Jill’s students have terminal conditions, which affects her deeply. “I get incredibly emotional,” she said. “There is often all sorts of other things going on in the family. You’re in their house. You get very involved with these kids. I had a student who was getting dialysis six days a week, and there were four other sons. I couldn’t help but try to do all sorts of things. I bought groceries, helped with their other kids.”

Jill often finds herself offering comfort to the family. “The mothers cry, and I cry. A lot of students are dealing not only with being ill, they feel like they’re being punished. And the parents often feel so guilty, feeling ‘how come I, as a mother, couldn’t have prevented this?’”

‘Get a Straight Job’ & Stop Gang Banging!

October 29, 2012 Debora Gordon

I responded to the email Lam sent from Juvenile Hall within an hour of receiving it. That was more than 5 years ago, so I am trying to look back and remember what I was

GUNS Part II: For My Students & City, The Case for a Life Unarmed

October 16, 2012 Debora Gordon

Gun violence is rocking our city. But at Oakland Voices, not everyone agrees on whether or not owning them creates or feeds a culture of violence, or if it’s just smart self-defense. Two of our correspondents have very different perspectives on the need for guns in our homes and society. Here, one has her say.

Students, Parents and Teachers Walk for Peace in Bella Vista

October 2, 2012 Debora Gordon

Bella Vista Principal Felicia Phillips addressed the crowd. “Most of our 5th grade students last year revealed that while most of them felt safe at school, far fewer of them felt safe outside of school. Crime and violence not only impact our students’ physical and emotional safety, but it can impact their success as learners. Yet we all choose to continue to work here because we feel connected to the community and are willing to partner with the community to make it safer for everyone.”