Welcome Message from LaResha Huffman, Superintendent

Dear AIMS Community,

It is with immense gratitude and excitement that I welcome all families to a new school year at AIMS. Returning home to Oakland to serve as Superintendent is both a professional honor and a deeply personal privilege. Oakland has shaped who I am as a leader, and my love for this city and its people runs deep. I am humbled by the opportunity to give back to a community that has given so much to me.

Oakland is a city defined by resilience, diversity, innovation, and unwavering hope. Our families, students, educators, and community partners represent the very best of what education can be. I believe every child in Oakland deserves access to an exceptional education that prepares them not only for college and careers, but also empowers them to become compassionate leaders, critical thinkers, and engaged members of their communities.

The AIMS Way is more than a strategic plan; it is our shared commitment to excellence and educational opportunity. It reflects our belief that every student can excel academically, grow personally, and contribute meaningfully when surrounded by high expectations, strong relationships, and a culture that refuses to settle for anything less than success.

As we begin this next chapter together, we will build upon AIMS' extraordinary legacy while embracing new opportunities to learn, innovate, and grow. We will remain steadfast in our commitment to rigorous instruction, support for every learner, safe schools, and a collaborative culture where students, staff, and families all have a voice in our school's success.

I believe our greatest strengths are our people, our educators, our students, our families, and the broader Oakland community. Together, we will continue to pursue our North Star, ensuring every student graduates prepared for college, career, and life beyond our walls.

I am incredibly proud to be back home, serving the city I love and leading an organization with such a rich tradition of excellence. Thank you for welcoming me into the AIMS family. I look forward to partnering with each of you as we make this an extraordinary school year.

With gratitude,

In partnership,

LaResha Huffman

Superintendent

Mrs. Huffman is a respected educational leader with more than 20 years of experience in public education, known for improving student achievement, advancing equity, strengthening instructional systems, and building strong partnerships with students, families, staff, and communities. She most recently served as Superintendent of the Sausalito Marin City School District, where she led significant academic, operational, and fiscal improvements, including increased student achievement, implementation of Science of Reading practices, strengthened special education services, and the development of the district’s first public data dashboard to support transparency and accountability.

Previously, she served as Associate Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer for West Contra Costa Unified School District and held multiple leadership roles over 16 years in Oakland Unified School District as a Network Superintendent, Principal, Director of Instruction, and teacher.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Huffman has deep pride in Oakland and a lifelong commitment to public education in the region. She continues to pursue a vision that integrates excellent instruction, a deep investment in students’ social-emotional needs, strong principal professional growth and development, and effective district business operations.