2111 International Boulevard, Oakland, California 94606, United States
Ms. Esther Pyon
Mental Health/ERMHS Counselor
Ms. Esther is a Mental Health Therapist at Community School for Creative Education. She grew up in Southern California and earned her B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine. After graduation, she spent nine years in South Korea teaching English to students and adults and developing English curriculum.
In 2017, Ms. Esther returned to the United States to pursue her Master’s degree in Counseling at CSU East Bay. She is now an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working toward full licensure and has been supporting students across all school levels in Oakland since 2019.
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In her free time, Ms. Esther enjoys watching television, playing with her cat, and spending quality time with her loved ones.
Email: estherp@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org
Mr. Zack Steele
Coordinador/Maestro de Educación Especial
,,,Zack Steele is a member of the Special Education team at Community School for Creative Education for the 2025–2026 school year. He began his career in education after graduating college in the 2000s, working with and researching autism in San Diego, California. Since then, he has held various roles including behavior therapist, paraprofessional, SDC/CEED teacher, Behavior Intervention Specialist, and now teacher and coordinator.
Zack holds an undergraduate degree in Human Biology and a master’s degree in Special Education. He is passionate about both science and education and enjoys sharing his knowledge with students and colleagues alike. This year, he is also proud to serve as CSCE’s soccer coach.
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Email: zacks@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org
Mr. Joe Vega
Behavioral Specialist
Mr. Joe Vega has been part of Community School for Creative Education for two years. He studied behavioral science and works within the Special Education department, supporting students across all grade levels.
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Mr. Vega brings patience and understanding to his work, providing students the space to process their emotions while guiding them through challenges. He helps students set achievable goals, enabling them to recognize and celebrate their growth within the learning environment.
Email: joev@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org
Mr. Arthur Li
SPED Instructional Aide
Mr. Arthur Li has been with Community School for Creative Education for 2 years, working in the Special Education Department to support students, primarily in the upper grades. He works patiently with middle school students to help them access and succeed in their grade-level education.
Mr. Li studied at the University of Santa Cruz and brings energy and joy to the workplace. He enjoys connecting with students over shared interests in anime and video games, and he also appreciates spending time in nature.
Ms. Jasmine Beltran
SPED Instructional Aide
Ms. Jasmine Beltran works in the Special Education (SPED) department at Community School for Creative Education, supporting students to achieve their academic and personal growth goals. She brings dedication, patience, and a supportive presence to her work with students of all abilities.
Mr. Joshua Gonzalez
SPED Instructional Aide
Mr. Joshua Gonzalez works in the Special Education (SPED) department at Community School for Creative Education, supporting students across grade levels. He brings patience, dedication, and a supportive approach to help students achieve both academic and personal growth.
Mr. Michael Tang
SPED Instructional Aide
Mr. Michael Tang was born and raised in Oakland, California. He is passionate about supporting students and helping them develop both academically and personally. As a member of the Special Education team at Community School for Creative Education, he emphasizes patience, teamwork, and skill-building while working closely with students to meet their individual needs.
Known for his outgoing and personable nature, Mr. Michael Tang enjoys playing basketball and pickleball, capturing scenic photos of nature, and traveling to explore new places both in the U.S. and abroad. He also values spending quality time with family and close friends.
Email: michaelt@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org