Maria al-Shamma

Maria Al-Shamma, MSW, PPSC is an experienced social worker currently serving as the District Social Worker and LGBTQ Youth Liaison for Oceanside Unified School District since January 2023. With a commitment to inclusivity, Maria has been a Welcoming Schools Facilitator for the Human Rights Campaign since June 2017, providing essential training for educators to foster supportive and inclusive environments for diverse families and LGBTQ students. Additional leadership roles include serving on the Board of Directors for the North County LGBTQ Resource Center and the California Association of School Social Workers. Previous positions include District School Social Worker for Vista Unified School District and School Social Worker for Escondido Union High School District, among others. Maria holds a Master of Social Work from Smith College and dual Bachelor's degrees in Psychology from UC Irvine.