Opinion

OP-ED: Oakland’s New Teachers Need Your Support

Published

9 years ago

March 8, 2017

Oakland Post

By Hannah Lukanuski

My first day of teaching fourth grade was two years ago and it was a whirlwind of energetic joy and panicked mistakes.

Luckily, I was at a school that anticipated and addressed the challenges I faced as a new teacher. I received almost daily observation and feedback from my principal, was coached on classroom management, and had time during the week to collaboratively plan lessons with my grade level team.

These resources both alleviated my first-year teaching anxiety and improved my classroom practices quickly.

Allocating resources towards supporting new teachers demonstrated our school’s commitment to equitable student experiences and outcomes.

Since Oakland shares that commitment, it should ensure that all first year teachers have that same degree of support. Right now, new teacher experiences differ greatly across the district; many new teachers have no access to coaches and infrequent opportunities for feedback from instructional leaders.

This is especially unfair to the new teachers who are overwhelmingly concentrated at schools in the highest needs areas of Oakland, where students need teachers who are supported and developed from day one.

One out of five Oakland teachers are in their first or second years of teaching. It is therefore imperative that Oakland Unified School District prioritize our needs.

Better and more consistent support for new teachers would improve instruction in a significant portion of Oakland classrooms, improving the academic outcomes of students in those spaces.

It would also reduce teacher turnover, which burdens students, staff, and school administrations.

As the teacher contract negotiations between the Oakland Education Association and the district begin, we must continue to push for new teacher support to be included in the renegotiated contract.

As a Teacher Policy Fellow at GO Public Schools Oakland, I worked with a group of Oakland teachers to research and recommend policies to improve new teacher support and teacher leadership opportunities in Oakland.

We recommend that new teachers are provided with meaningful and effective mentorship, that the district and schools align their expectations and support mechanisms for new teachers, and that the district invest in schools with high percentages of new teachers on staff.

I am excited to see our recommendations reflected in the Oakland Education Association’s initial proposals for the new contract.

The union has proposed adding a baseline of support for new teachers, and for the first time, included guidelines to ensure teacher leadership positions are clearly defined, accessible to all teachers, and properly compensated.

These items are key to ensuring equitable supports for new teachers around the city and improving student achievement.

Prioritizing meaningful mentorship, aligned supports, and equitably allocated resources would make a difference not only for new teachers, but more importantly for Oakland students.

As negotiations for the new teacher contract move forward, please support new teachers and equity in Oakland classrooms by contacting your school board representative at boe@ousd.org

Hannah Lukanuski is a teacher at Garfield Elementary School and Teacher Policy Fellow at GO Public Schools Oakland. For information go to www.gopublicschoolsoakland.org

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Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

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2 weeks ago

March 22, 2026

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Oakland Post: Week of March 11 -17, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 11 – 17, 2026

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March 17, 2026

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Advice

Women & Wealth: Tips for Navigating Your Lifelong Financial Journey

Published

3 weeks ago

March 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

We are in the midst of a seismic shift in wealth. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Great Wealth Transfer,” describes the unprecedented movement of assets from the Baby Boomer generation to their heirs – an estimated $105 trillion by 2048. And women are poised to inherit most of this.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s 2025 Investor Study found that women are not only set to receive significant wealth – they’re actively working to build it on their own. Ninety-three percent of women surveyed who are expecting an inheritance aren’t relying on it to reach their goals.

Here are a few tips for women to consider in their wealth-building journey:

Create a financial roadmap

A detailed, well thought out plan is important. J.P. Morgan’s study found that 90% of those surveyed with a plan feel confident about reaching their financial goals, compared to 49% without one.

Your plan should reflect your unique goals, priorities and circumstances. Consider your investment horizon and risk tolerance, and remember to revisit your plan regularly as life evolves.

Are you saving up for goals like buying a house, sending your kids off to college or retiring early? Where do you want to be in the next five, ten or twenty years? Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so it’s important to think about these questions and build a plan that is unique to your life.

Women tend to live longer than men on average. Many take career breaks or care for family members, which can influence long-term planning. It’s important to adjust your strategy with these factors in mind.

Where to start with investing

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Starting to invest doesn’t require a large sum, and beginning early can be beneficial. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to potentially grow over the years. Understand your overall financial situation, set clear goals and develop a long-term plan.

It’s important to also make sure you’re covered for unexpected expenses that come up before you start to invest. Build up a cash emergency fund, typically enough to cover three to six months of expenses, and pay down any high-interest debt.

Taking charge of your finances

The good news is that women are taking charge of their finances. J.P. Morgan’s research found that 75% of women respondents make financial decisions with their partner or take the lead themselves. For those who have a spouse or partner, it’s important for each person in the relationship to play an active role in the process.

Building wealth can be empowering for many women. The same survey found that 73% of women respondents said money gives them “security,” while 64% of Gen Z and Millennial women associated it with “freedom.”

The power of having a team

Some people find it helpful to work with a financial advisor, so you don’t have to tackle things alone. An advisor can help you craft a plan tailored to your needs and keep you on track throughout your lifelong financial journey. If you expect to receive an inheritance, you should also consult with estate planning and tax professionals.

No matter where you are on your wealth-building path, education is key. It’s so important to be an informed investor, and there are plenty of resources out there to help. You can find a library of free educational resources at chase.com/theknow.

As the landscape of wealth continues to evolve, women have a unique opportunity to shape their financial futures and those of generations to come. By staying informed and planning ahead, women have the tools to help them confidently navigate the Great Wealth Transfer and set themselves up for financial freedom.

The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice, and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan. This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor.  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction.  