Specialty Teachers

Special Education Department

Speech Language Pathologist

Ascend Rehab Services

Esther Pyon

Mental Health/ ERMHS Counselor

estherp@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org

Esther Pyon 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. 

Emily Clinton

Special Education Specialist 

emilyc@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org

It is Ms. Emily's first 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.

Zack Steele

Behavioral Intervention Specialist

zacks@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org

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 2 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.

Instructional Assistants and Support Staff

Jennifer Lee, Instructional Assistant

 jenniferl@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org

Jennifer was born and raised in Oakland and Oakland schools, graduating from Skyline High School. Jennifer came to CSCE first as a parent volunteer in 2012. The following school year she became the Instructional Assistant in the TK classroom.

Vincent Lane, Instructional Assistant 

vincentl@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org

Mr. Lane has worked for over three years as a paraeducator in the special education department for the San Lorenzo Unified School District and has worked with students ranging from preschool through high school. He strives to help all students reach not only their academic potential, but their human potential as citizens of the world. A key to Mr. Lane’s success as a paraeducator, is his flexibility, adaptability, and allowing students to respectfully express themselves and paying special attention to any frustrations or concerns they may have concerning their education and school life. As a former player and board member of the San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club, Mr. Lane has had the opportunity to travel throughout the United Kingdom and to Sydney, Australia to play in rugby tournaments. He also enjoys spending time in Puerto Vallarta and Merida in Mexico.

Hennessy Jimenez - Food Distribution 

Ms.Hennessy/Ms. H is a young high school graduate who is studying acupuncture therapy in  hopes to one day run her own office practice. Her interest revolve around cooking, travel, and equine. Ms. H was born and raised in Oakland CA, she spent all of her summers at her grandfather’s ranch where she learned to ride horses and care for many different animals. Ms. H hopes to provide nutritious breakfast and lunch so students may develop to their full potential while at CSCE!