Oakland Rising

Many recognize the phoenix as a mythical bird, one that goes through death, rebirth, and renewal. In a similar manner, my history in Oakland is akin to the phoenix.

Death

20 years ago, I tutored in Oakland as a college student. My outreach program’s mission was to motivate first-generation students to go to college. I loved mentoring and tutoring the middle school students as their curiosity and fervor to learn was unquenchable.

2 years later, the school I tutored at shut down and we had to find a new site. As we experimented with new sites, nothing compared to our love for the original school site. Shortly after I graduated from college, I learned that my outreach program dissolved. In a flash, my peers and students’ experiences flickered out into embers as we witnessed the deaths of a school and program.

Rebirth

For the next few years after college, I tutored in Berkeley and later earned my graduate degree. With the credentials and experiences to teach at almost any district, I found myself peculiarly attached to teaching in Oakland again. I wanted to reignite my past experiences with a new generation of Oakland students. These students reminded me of myself as a child – a fighter, a survivor, and a person who carried tremendous pride in their community.

The 7 years I taught in Oakland were some of the most memorable moments ever in my career. I learned how to build deep and meaningful relationships inside and outside the classroom. In addition, I served as a surrogate father and older brother for many of my students. Most importantly, I struggled, endured, and confirmed that the field of education was the correct pathway for me. No work was more valuable than educating a child. Like the phoenix bird, my second stint in Oakland brought about a rebirth in my life.

Coincidingly, this rebirthing period also led to the birth of my first child. During the year of my child’s birth, I wanted to see if I could fight and survive as a father and educator in the Bay Area. Unfortunately, I did not perform well in both responsibilities and recall uncontrollably sobbing in front of my advisees informing them, “I will not be returning next year.” After 15 years of living in Northern California, my wife and I chose to leave the Bay Area and return home to San Diego where both sides of our families resided. Once again, my time in Oakland reached an end.

Renewal

My eldest child is now 6 years old and I have been removed from Oakland for 5 years now. Fortunately, I heard news about an opportunity to experience Oakland again at a teaching conference. I pride myself over my perfect attendance at school, however, revisiting Oakland is always a valid reason to break the streak.

Over the course of 3 days and 2 nights, I got the chance to rekindle my love for Oakland. Karaoke at a bar, listening to students present and reflect about life’s lessons, and engaging in learning walks with colleagues and Oakland residents. It was refreshing to see The Town for all its beauties and challenges, 20 years later. Oakland will always have a place in my heart, regardless if the phoenix experiences death, rebirth, or renewal. Like the phoenix, Oakland always rises.

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Storyteller

Marc Hua

Educator

Over the past 20 years, Marc Hua has worn many hats in the field of education - tutor, mentor, teacher, sports coach, cooperating teacher, department chair, instructional leader, and now Numeracy Specialist. Growing up in a single-parent, low-income household of 5, Marc relates very well with students from underserved backgrounds. He is adamant about helping the underserved achieve upward mobility. In his spare time, he loves bonding with his family and being a voracious learner.