2111 International Boulevard, Oakland, California 94606, United States
Ms. Esther Pyon
Mental Health/ ERMHS Counselor
Ms. Esther is a mental health therapist for our CSCE. She grew up in Southern California, and attended UC Irvine to receive her B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior. After graduating, she moved to South Korea, where she taught English to Korean students and adults and worked in English curriculum development for nine years. In 2017, she returned to the U.S. to work towards her Master's degree in Counseling at CSU East Bay. Now, she is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, and is working towards getting her license. She has worked in Oakland schools since 2019 throughout all school levels. In her free time, she enjoys watching tv, playing with her cat, and spending time with her loved ones.
estherp@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org
Ms. Alina Kagan
Director of Special Education Services
Ms. Alina is excited to be returning to CSCE for her fifth year as the Special Education Director. She earned her Mild/Moderate credential at Loyola Marymount University and has worked as a Special Education teacher for 8 years and a Mental Health Counselor for 3 years prior to that. She loves learning about the unique backgrounds and interests of each student, building strong relationships with each of them, and is passionate about ensuring that each student has every opportunity to succeed
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La Sra. Alina está emocionada de regresar a CSCE por quinto año como Directora de Educación Especial. Obtuvo su credencial leve/moderada en la Universidad Loyola Marymount y trabajó como maestra de educación especial durante 8 años y consejera de salud mental durante 3 años antes. Le encanta aprender sobre los antecedentes e intereses únicos de cada estudiante, construir relaciones sólidas con cada uno de ellos y le apasiona garantizar que cada estudiante tenga todas las oportunidades para triunfar.
Ms. Emily Clinton
Special Education Specialist Teacher
Ms. Emily's third year as the special education teacher (TK-5th) at Community School. She was born and raised in the Bay Area (Alameda). She attended College of Alameda, Mount Holyoke College (in Massachusetts) and San Francisco State University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and completed her teacher preparation education in special education through San Francisco State, focusing on early childhood education. She was also a paraeducator in special day classes for five and a half years. Outside of school, Emily can be found with her 15 pound, furry companion - a dog named Sage.
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El tercer año de la Sra. Emily como maestra de educación especial (TK-5º) en Community School. Nació y creció en el Área de la Bahía (Alameda). Asistió al College of Alameda, al Mount Holyoke College (en Massachusetts) y a la Universidad Estatal de San Francisco. Obtuvo una Licenciatura en Política y completó su educación de preparación docente en educación especial a través del estado de San Francisco, enfocándose en la educación infantil temprana. También fue paraeducadora en clases diurnas especiales durante cinco años y medio. Fuera de la escuela, se puede encontrar a Emily con su compañero peludo de 15 libras: un perro llamado Sage.
emilyc@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org
Mr. Joe Vega
Behavioral Specialist
Mr. Joe Vega has been working with CSCE for 2 years. He has studied behavioral science and works with our Special Education department supporting students of all grade levels. Mr. Joe brings patience and understanding to students when they are being challenged while allowing them the spaciousness to process their emotions. Mr. Joe works on helping students set achievable goals so that they can see their own growth in their learning environment.
joev@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org
Mr. Arthur Li
SPED Instructional Aide
Mr. Arthur Li has been working for CSCE for two years. He works in the Special Education Department supporting students primarily in the upper grades. He patiently works with our middle school students access their grade level education. Mr. Arthur studied at the University of Santa Cruz and brings a lot of joy to the work place. Mr. Arthur enjoys nature and connects with kids over their shared love of anime and video games.
Mr. Zack Steele
Behavior Specialist
Mr. Steele was raised in Northern California, and attended the University of California, San Diego to attain degrees in Human Biology and Biochemistry. After leaving medical school to pursue a career in education in 2008, he worked for the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, and returned to the Bay Area. He worked for 3 years as an SDC/CEED teacher in Hayward, CA, and received advanced training in behavior management with emphasis in trauma. With 15 years of educational experience, Mr. Steele is happy to call the San Antonio area his home.
zacks@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org
Ms. Melissa Marquez
SPED Instructional Aide
Ms. Melissa Marquez, is a Special education Aide and is working as one on one with students to best assist their learning journey. She has worked with children in special needs for about 2 years now. Melissa is excited to be a new addition to the team and is happy to work together to make a difference in our community.
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La Sra. Melissa Márquez, es asistente de educación especial y trabaja individualmente con los estudiantes para ayudarlos mejor en su viaje de aprendizaje. Ha trabajado con niños con necesidades especiales durante aproximadamente 2 años. Melissa está emocionada de ser una nueva incorporación al equipo y feliz de trabajar juntos para marcar la diferencia en nuestra comunidad.
Mr. Kody Bayen
SPED Instructional Aide
Mr. Kody is excited to be returning as an Instructional Aide at CSCE. He has an educational background in Human Services and believes that giving our youth the best possible education we can is our path towards a better future. Kody is honored to show up for the students in their daily lives and create meaningful connections with them each as individuals. He brings patience, understanding, and fun to the classroom, and cares deeply about meeting each student exactly where they’re at. In his free time Kody can be found skateboarding, reading, and spending time with loved ones. He is proud to be a part of the CSCE’s wonderful Special Education team.
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El Sr. Kody está emocionado de regresar como asistente de instrucción a la CSCE. Tiene experiencia educativa en Servicios Humanos y cree que brindar a nuestros jóvenes la mejor educación posible es nuestro camino hacia un futuro mejor. Kody tiene el honor de estar presente para los estudiantes en su vida diaria y crear conexiones significativas con cada uno de ellos como individuos. Aporta paciencia, comprensión y diversión al aula y se preocupa profundamente por conocer a cada estudiante exactamente donde se encuentra. En su tiempo libre, se puede encontrar a Kody andando en patineta, leyendo y pasando tiempo con sus seres queridos. Está orgulloso de ser parte del maravilloso equipo de Educación Especial de la CSCE.
