Our Staff

Lauren Markham, Learning Lab Co-director

Lauren Markham is an educator who has spent more than fifteen years working at the intersection of immigration and education. Lauren served as a program partner for OIHS since the school's inception, working the International Rescue Committee, The Oakland Unified School District's Refugee & Asylee Program, and Refugee Transitions. In 2011, Lauren joined the OIHS team as the Community School Manager, building the school's socio-emotional services and non-academic programming in service newcomer students and families. She is the author of the award-winning 2017 book, The Far Away Brothers, and her writing on education and migration has been published in outlets such as The Guardian, The New York Times, The New Republic, Mother Jones, Harper's and The Atlantic. 

David Hansen, Learning Lab Co-director

David began as a math teacher at Oakland International in 2011. In his role as a math teacher and later department head, they were able to create support classes for SIFE math students, as well as dual enrollment math offerings. He later was the assistant principal at OIHS, working to support the school and students during COVID with getting needed food, educational materials and technology.

Veronica Garcia Montejano, Principal

Veronica left the more lucrative field of banking to come to education. Then for 6 years, Veronica led the ELD classes at Roosevelt Middle School before joining the OIHS staff.  She worked for 2 years as history teacher and summer school administrator before transitioning to coaching.  She has extensive experience as a leader of PD and as a BTSA coach. Veronica graduated from Smith College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and from The University of Texas at Austin with a Masters in Art History. She holds credentials in both English and Social Science.

Carmelita Reyes, OUSD Senior Director, School Operations

 Founding Principal & Learning Lab Support Staff

Carmelita is the founding principal of Oakland International High School.  Prior to becoming principal, she was a founding teacher at Life Academy of Health and Bio-Science located in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. There, she taught 10th grade humanities, journalism and photography. In 2005 she was awarded the honor of "Oakland Unified School District Teacher of the Year,” and in 2007 she was named “Oakland Educator of the Year” by the Marcus Foster Foundation. Carmelita began her teaching career in New York City, teaching to a primarily Dominican population. Carmelita received her BA in Economics at Princeton University and studied abroad at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She received a Masters in Education at Columbia University and received her administrative credential from National Equity Project and California State East Bay.

Sam Finn, Senior Policy Consultant

Sam is an experienced policy professional and educator. He conducts state and national level research into newcomer policy, as well as internal analysis for Oakland Unified. In the past, Sam has developed strategy, authored program guidelines, and conducted research with the California Community College Chancellor’s Office and the California Department of Social Services. He spent seven years teaching elementary school in Washington, D.C., Berkeley, and Oakland, roles in which he also served as a union representative and an educational technology leader. Sam holds a Master of Public Policy from UC Berkeley, a Master of Education from Lesley University, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Carleton College.