Turning Lived Experience Into Leadership in the Classroom
When Oscar Carrillo walks into a classroom, he carries more than a lesson plan. He carries a mission and a story – a story he hopes will inspire his students and encourage others to follow a similar path.
A member of St. Augustine Prep’s founding class of 2021, Oscar is set to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in fall 2025.
“I want to be a role model my students can look up to,” he shares. “A normal guy from the same neighborhood who made a change to break a trend for good.”
Oscar’s path to teaching was shaped by educators who believed in him, especially those who showed him that education can be a tool for freedom. That lesson continues to guide everything he does.
Through various academic field placements, Oscar has gained hands-on experience in kindergarten, elementary, and middle school classrooms. His middle school placement confirmed his calling to education, while the challenges of teaching fourth grade strengthened his classroom management and resilience.
He describes his teaching style as that of a “warm demander.” In other words, a teacher who pairs high expectations with empathy. He pushes his students to reach new limits and challenge themselves, while being patient and understanding of the struggle that comes with that. After his engagement with middle school students, Oscar thinks he’s cracked the code: “They’re innocent young adults eager to receive advice on both life and academics.”
Oscar’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. Colleagues at his student teaching site have encouraged him to apply for open positions – a reflection of his dedication, leadership, and care for students. After all, one of the greatest measures of growth in any profession is the recognition that comes from those who witness your work every day.
As a UW-Milwaukee All-In Milwaukee Scholar, Oscar also excels in his studies. He ended his spring 2025 semester with a 4.0 GPA, a feat made possible through discipline, effort, and the ongoing support of the All-In Milwaukee team. Following graduation, he looks forward to becoming a full-time teacher and building his own classroom culture from day one.
“I can’t wait to start changing the world, one classroom at a time,” he says. For Oscar, teaching isn’t just a career, but a manifestation of the lessons provided to him by his teachers, helping prove that education could indeed be used as a tool for freedom.