In recognition of Labor Day and all of our teachers, I caught up with Jah-Yee Woo — long time Oakland teacher and Oakland teacher of the year in 2018-19. We’ve worked together over the years on various initiatives in the district from civic engagement to Ethnic Studies to the graduate capstone. Sit back and listen to her story: how she became a teacher, why she’s passionate about centering youth voice, how she continues to learn and grow, and finally what her dreams are for changing public education. Through her journey, she reminds us that students and teachers alike are not empty vessels.