• Program Overview
• Teaching in OUSD
• Teaching Math
• Teaching Special Education
• Teaching Science
• Teaching Spanish and Bilingual Education
• Teaching PE
• In the Press

Teaching in OUSD

The Oakland Unified School District is one of the largest urban school districts in the state of California, with about 39,705 students and 2,600 teachers in Oakland public schools. OUSD is the second largest employer in Oakland. As of September 2009, there are 65 elementary schools, 21 middle schools, 18 high schools, and 6 alternative schools. Over the past four years, OUSD has been the most improved large school district in California, based on the Academic Performance Index. Teachers are making a difference.

Student diversity in OUSD reflects that of the city as a whole with 38% African American students; 33% Hispanic/Latino students; 16% Asian students; 1% Filipino students; 7% Caucasian students; 1% Pacific Islander students; and 4% who self-identify as "Other." Among OUSD's 11,219 English Language Learner students, there are over 40 languages represented. Other than English, the most widely spoken primary languages are Spanish (73 %), Cantonese (10 %), Vietnamese (4 %), and Cambodian (2%).

Priorities

Fellows teach in high-need schools throughout the city where the need for high-caliber teachers is most critical. We are looking for individuals who are especially committed to overcoming challenges and to holding themselves accountable for their students' achievement. The first year for any new teacher is challenging, and Fellows should anticipate particularly intense efforts and long hours. Becoming a Fellow means making an unwavering commitment to our students and their academic achievement. Although dramatic gains can and should be made even during the first year of teaching, Fellows find that due to their own professional growth and development, their second and third years often open even greater opportunities to succeed in significantly increasing their students' academic achievement. By making a long-term commitment to Oakland's students and their network of colleagues and the community, Fellows can expect to increase their effectiveness and impact each year. By focusing on their own classrooms, Fellows' results contribute to a combined effort toward school-wide change.

* OUSD Data Portal, Student Demographics, 2006-2007

Subjects Fellows Teach

There are over 200 Fellows teaching in OUSD classrooms across the city. This is your chance to join this network of dedicated, like-minded educators – and a movement to close the achievement gap in Oakland. The need for teachers in particular subject areas remains particularly great. Some candidates come from strong science and math backgrounds and join OTF to bring their expertise to close the achievement gap between students who will and won't have the skills to graduate high school or attend college. Some candidates join our movement to ensure that students with special needs develop the same educational foundations as their neighbors down the hall. All Fellows bring their particular knowledge and skills to impart to students, and a sense of urgency to catch up all of our students to where they need to be. We are looking for 2010 Fellows to make a difference by teaching the following subjects:

• Bilingual education (K-12)
• Computer Technology
• Math
• Physical Education
• Science
• Spanish
• Special Education (Mild to Moderate)
• Special Education (Moderate to Severe)
• Special Education (Pre-K)

Candidates do not need to have majored in a specific subject area or have experience in the subject they will teach. Candidates must pass the California subject area test, the CSET, to qualify for their subject area. The Oakland Teaching Fellows Training Institute prepares Fellows to be effective beginning teachers who will raise student achievement in a high-need school, regardless of subject area.