Alameda Community Learning Center is a 6th-12th grade public charter school located in Alameda, California. It currently shares a campus with Nea Community Learning Center. The Alameda Community Learning Center (ACLC) was created as a school where the Graduate Profile of the Alameda Unified School District could live and breathe.

From November 2021-2022, Amari Jones worked at ACLC, quickly making a large impact within 4 months. He worked alongside an amazing staff and administration that lead the school with a positive leadership. Jones was a community liaison, campus safety supervisor, school culture advocate, conflict de-escalator, student attendance supervisor, student mentor, and substitute teacher 6th-12th grade classes. Jones built positive relationships with parents, teachers, mental health professionals, and administrators. He also connected with many kids though PE classes, sports, after-school activities, and more. Jones met many families and he was gladly invited into households to help support the students in their home lives as well.

Through the numerous people he closely interacted with, Jones has received countless amounts of support from families, the school district, principals, and teachers. Principals at ACLC have mentioned that Jones’ impact was a huge part of the positive school culture.

Below are examples of kind words that Amari J has treasured over the years. Voice of the Youth thanks the amazing students of ACLC.

Below is a letter from Alameda Community Learning Center, addressed to Amari Jones.

“My name is Sukhleen, I’m a junior at Alameda Community Learning Center and I wanted to write this letter to show how much Amari has done for me, my cousins, and other learners at my school. Amari is one of the most generous, kind hearted, loving, supportive and best person you’ll ever meet.
Amari has the power to change kids’ minds to loving school. I’m one of those learners that he changed! I never liked school till I met Amari and he motivated me and kids to do better. He gave me advice that no teacher will ever give you in life. I learned so much from him about how life works outside of school and how to stay on track and become successful and he told me school is going to be the only way to my success. His intentions will make anybody impressed because he always says,” I’m here to inspire &motivate kids in the right direction.” Who takes out their time to work at a school and motivate students more than teachers do? Very rare! There was a recent Oakland youth festival where teachers and schools came along and gave out free school supplies and backpacks and Amari took part in helping these teachers pass out supplies to students.
Every student on the campus loves Amari that when he is absent kids get upset about it. He doesn’t treat us like students, he treats us like we are his friends, he always makes sure everyone in class, learning, no matter how much other stuff he has to worry about outside of school he checks up to see if students are having a great day.
My friends, family, and I got so close with Amari that he’s like family to us. Whenever I’m facing something I know who to go to when I need help or advice. He’s like an older brother to me who isn’t even blood, he’s always there to guide me, make sure I’m on task. I’ve been to many schools but never have I been so close to a staff member at a school. It’s been great ever since Amari started working at ACLC. Like I said he’s a supervisor but he does more than asked to and that’s a very good quality of his. Whenever my cousins are in any trouble he has always tried his best to help them out as well.
Every school deserves to have someone like him who builds relationships with kids, puts their life to the side for students, motivates them to do better in school, and etc. There’s so much that I can go on about but words aren’t enough to describe all Amari’s qualities. I will always appreciate Amari and all this advice that’s been given to me. I’m going to use it to my full extent to get somewhere in life. Thank You, Amari J!”

– Sincerely, Sophia Plasencia, Amanpreet Malhi, Juckhleen Singh, Harmanpreet Kaur, Ekam, Kalkyani West, Haimaunjit Kaui, Khloe West, Manroop Singh, Ishmeet Malhi, Sukhleen Kaur (shown in the featured image at the top of this article)