Derek Boyd

An Oakland native and Northern Light alum, Derek Boyd graduated from Skyline High School in Oakland and went to college at the University of California Santa Cruz. His undergraduate degree in Sociology with a Minor in Education led to a career in education, where he went on to earn his teaching credential at San Francisco State University and teach math in Oakland high schools for 10 years. 

While he taught, Derek earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at CSU East Bay. After a decade in the classroom, he went into administration, coming full circle and returning home as the Dean of Student Life at Northern Light and spending three years as an Assistant Principal at Fremont High School in Oakland.

Northern Light is the foundation of Derek’s work in education. The joy, passion and academic curiosity cultivated in him is embedded in all of the work he continues to do now. He is committed to his community and doing his part to make sure every child has a similar joyously intellectual experience as a student. 

As an alum, former staff member, and now parent, Derek deeply believes in the vision of Northern Light and the importance it has earned in our world.