As October concludes, the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is recognizing Principal Appreciation Month by highlighting the important role school leaders play in supporting students, teachers, and the broader Oakland community. The district emphasized its gratitude for principals and assistant principals who serve as foundational figures at their schools.
Amapola Obrera, principal of Frick United Academy of Language and an OUSD alumna, was featured as a notable example of graduates returning to lead within their own communities. Her story is showcased in the district’s “Oakland Grown” video series. Obrera described her experience: “Being ‘Oakland Grown’ means being resilient, being proud of where you come from, and using your voice to advocate for yourself and for your community.”
The district also highlighted its partnership with UC Berkeley’s Diverse Education Leaders Pipeline Initiative (DELPI), which aims to develop a more diverse group of school administrators through equity-focused training. Supported by a $1.2 million grant, DELPI saw 11 OUSD educators complete the program during the 2024-25 academic year.
Among those recognized were Kathy Locke and David Tommasini, who began serving as Assistant Principals at Chabot Elementary and Oakland High respectively in the 2025-26 school year. Reflecting on her experience with DELPI, Locke said: “The DELPI grant gave me the means to pursue leadership training without financial hardship. Now I can apply what I learned to advocate for Oakland’s children and families.”
The district encouraged community members to learn more about local school leaders through curated video playlists featuring elementary, middle, and high school principals on YouTube.
OUSD concluded its message by thanking all principals and assistant principals for their dedication and urging families to express appreciation for these leaders’ contributions.
