Administration & Leadership Team

Alykhan Boolani, Co-Principal

  • Brown University, AB in Africana Studies

  • Teacher's College at Columbia, MA in Organizational Leadership

Alykhan Boolani is from Berkeley by way of Pakistan. He began his career as a math and history teacher at East Oakland School of the Arts, where he received the 2011 Teacher of the Year Award. He moved to Brooklyn, NY in 2013 where he helped start a 6-12 school, as a 6th grade teacher and later, a high school principal. He likes to think about Socrates and Jesus writing pen-pal letters with Muhammad. He loves tents because they are small, efficient, and sate his desire for unboundedness. He believes that above anything else, young people from the Bay will change the world (as they have before), and feels blessed to be a part of their journeys.

Aryn Bowman, Co-Principal

  • Smith College, BA in International Political Economy/South Asian Studies

  • UC Berkeley, Principal Leadership Institute, M.Ed in Urban Education and Principal Leadership

Aryn Bowman has been part of the small schools movement in OUSD for two decades, teaching High School history as well as serving as principal at the East Oakland School of the Arts where she was awarded both Teacher of the Year award (2008) as well the School Leader of the Year award (2012). When not at school, she loves gardening in her backyard in Oakland, reading good books and hiking in Redwood Regional Park with her daughter, Izcalli. Aryn is deeply committed to ensuring that all students are given the educational opportunities needed to have choice filled lives.

Rodrigo “Roro” Sandoval-Perez, Counselor

  • UC Berkeley, BA in Ethnic Studies/Chicano Studies

  • Columbia University, M.Ed in School Counseling, MA in Counseling Psychology

Roro graduated from Life Academy in 2007 and with the support the Gates Millennium scholarship went on to graduate from both the University of California, Berkeley and Teachers College, Columbia University in order to work in his home community of East Oakland. Roro loves photography, the arts, and assisting students in finding the power in their voice.

Nicole Trujillo, Community Schools Manager

Coming soon!

Alicia Garibaldi, Administrative Assistant

Alicia has been at Life Academy since 2004 and in 2023 Alicia marks her 30th year in OUSD. Awarded expect success secretary of the year high school network (2007.) Proud to have grown as a student and now employee with OUSD. Was one of the founding students to attend OUSD’s first bilingual schools “La Escuelita” and “Centro Infantil CDC.” She is committed to supporting staff, students and families in the school community. Alicia uses her bilingual skills here at Life and also with OUSD, Office of Equity in providing translation support services. This school year Alicia has taken on the role of "Clerical Mentor" and is part of a team within OUSD that collaborates and helps facilitate, train and support other school site Admins/Clerical with various tasks and site deliverables. Alicia strongly supports making quality education equitable and accessible for ALL OUSD students. She enjoys life by learning, traveling, exploring new places. She loves to cook and cooks a lot! She especially loves to share nourishment with folks. She holds sacred the quality time spent with family and friends. She also holds to heart the years of service she has provided to OUSD especially the strong connections and relationships she has built with students, staff and families.

Venus Mesui, Case Manager

Venus is native Hawaiian and moved to California and raised her family in the Bay Area. Venus has worked with students in Oakland for 26-years. 23-years at Life Academy and 3-years at Fremont high school. She has worked and seen well over 2000 students graduate from Life Academy and Fremont High School including 3 of her children .Working with youth on their social emotional needs and building their leadership skills has always been my passion and brings me so much joy. Venus works from the lens of compassion, empathy, and love. My favorite phrase to address my students and adults are “My Love.” I feel these simple words sets them up to have an amazing day and I’m hoping it reminds them that they are seen and welcomed in this space and the world beyond our community.

Dina Rivas, Attendance Clerk

Coming soon!

Christian Thomas Davis, Case Manager

Coming soon!

Clare Green, Instructional Coach

  • University of California, Berkeley, BA in History

  • CUNY Lehman, MA in Education

  • CSU East Bay, MA in Educational Leadership

Clare joined Life Academy in 2021 after 14 years teaching and leading in Hayward and New York City. She believes that literacy is a civil and human right and loves her role of empowering teachers to support students in accessing their agency. She enjoys life with her partner and two dogs; reading, roller skating, connecting with nature, and listening to live music.

Yolanda Sanchez, Afterschool Lead Coordinator

Coming Soon!

  • San Francisco State University, BA in Latin@ Studies

  • St. Johns University, Masters in Education

Alex began her teaching career in Brooklyn, NY as an 11th and 12 grade English Teacher. She transitioned into her current role as an instructional coach when she moved back to California, serving the community of South Central in Los Angeles. She recently relocated to Oakland and joined the Life Academy family. Alex's approach to instructional coaching is to create an intentional, collaborative partnership with teachers to support their holistic growth as professionals and in turn, support student's academic success. When she's not immersed in the world of teaching and learning you can find Alex in the sunshine, looking at wild flowers and reading in the grass.

Alexandra Nell, Instructional Coach

  • Washington State University, BA in Communications

Rachelle Bartholomew grew up on a farm within a multicultural family in Seattle, WA. While attending Washington State University Rachelle participated in collegiate rowing, recreational ice hockey and studied abroad at the University of Stirling in Scotland, UK. After earning her BA in Communications with a double major in Advertising and Psychology, Rachelle moved to NYC to accept a prestigious internship programming through the Advertising Association of America. While residing in NYC Rachelle discovered a passion for mental health and with the help of colleagues, co-founded a mental health advocacy group to address the stigma of mental health among faith communities and provide tangible resources for students and families impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Rachelle continues to pursue her passion for mental health and youth development, this time surrounded by warm weather and palm trees in the heart of Oakland. In her free time Rachelle practices mindfulness and yoga, surfs the ocean, visits hot springs and enjoys spending time with loved ones.

Rachelle Bartholomew, Community Partner/Afterschool HS Lead

Tahnee Camacho, Program Manager at Native American Health Clinic

Tahnee Camacho is born and raised in Oakland and a proud product of OUSD. She has 18 years of experience in adolescent health care and prevention services. Tahnee loves working with Life students and families. Tahnee has two children who she loves to travel and cook with.