Isaiah Mateas and campaign art. Source: Mateas campaign
23-year-old “is among the youngest candidates seeking elected office in the region.”
OAKLEY, Calif. — Local educator and lifelong Oakley community member Isaiah Mateas is a candidate for the Oakley Union Elementary School District Board of Education, Area 4, pledging to bring the perspective of a classroom teacher and community advocate to the Board.
Mateas has spent more than nine years working with students in a variety of educational settings, including public schools and juvenile detention programs. Since Aug. 2025, he has been employed as an elementary theatre teacher in Pittsburg Unified School District, where he works with students from pre-school through fifth grade. According to his Linkedin profile, previously Mateas worked as a Staff Supervisor for UCLA Student Affairs full-time from April 2024 to Jan. 2025, Director and Coordinator for UCLA Recreation full-time from June 2023 to July 2024 and from Oct. 2023 to Jan. 2025 he worked part-time as a Visionary Trainer for The Advot Project, which according to the organization’s Facebook page, “prepares youth for success by teaching them communication and relationship skills through the arts.”
Throughout his career, he has focused on creating engaging learning environments, supporting diverse learners and advocating for equitable educational opportunities.
He received a B.A. in Theatre for Directing from UCLA in 2024 with his graduate studies in the Single Subject Credential in 2026 and his M.S. in Education for Curriculum and Instruction at Cal State East Bay in 2027.
“I’ve seen firsthand how the decisions made by a school board directly impact students, teachers, and families,” said Mateas. “I’m running because I want to ensure every student has access to a safe, supportive, and high-quality education while giving educators the tools they need to succeed.”
As the sibling of a student who has received Special Education services within Oakley Union Elementary School District, Mateas says he understands the importance of ensuring every child receives the support they need to thrive. He wants to not only support these populations, but also the teachers and families that help make Oakley shine.
His campaign will focus on four priorities:
- Expanding student safety and wellness initiatives.
- Strengthening Special Education programs and outreach to diverse communities.
- Supporting and retaining high-quality teachers through competitive compensation and professional support.
- Expanding access to arts education and creative learning opportunities.
At 23 years old, Mateas is among the youngest candidates seeking elected office in the region. He believes that combining fresh perspectives with firsthand classroom experience can help address the evolving needs of today’s students and families.
“Public education is changing rapidly, and our leadership should reflect both experience in today’s classrooms and a genuine commitment to our community,” Mateas said. “I am running to serve, not to build a résumé and to ensure Oakley’s schools continue preparing every child for success.”
The Oakley Union Elementary School District Board of Education election will be held on November 3, 2026.
For more information about Mateas’s campaign email isaiah4ouesd@gmail.com, call (925) 384-0751 or visit campaign Facebook page.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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