San Jose REgenerations Oral History Project

Paul S. Sakamoto, Ph.D.

General Topics of Interview

Dr. Paul S. Sakamoto shares life stories spanning childhood years prior to WWII, the war years as a pre-adolescent, post-war resettlement, which includes an illustrious career in education, and finally, life as a retiree. He paints vignettes of opportunities as well as challenges, ranging from nine appointed positions during his career to being the victim of racial discrimination as an adolescent and young adult. Such experiences later influence his career as a teacher, counselor, and administrator. Dr. Sakamoto paved the way for others, being the first Asian American student admitted to a fraternity in the 100-year history of San Jose State University, as well as being the first Asian American school superintendent in California.

Biography

A second generation Japanese American, Paul S. Sakamoto was born in Alviso, CA, which is now a part of San Jose. The son of a farmer, who at one time was a sharecropper, Dr. Sakamoto is the youngest of 11 children. When he was eight years old, he and his family evacuated to Rohwer, Arkansas, where they were interned for three years. Perceiving that San Jose may not be a comfortable place to resettle, the family lived in Bear River City, Utah for one year. The year was most challenging, being the only Asians in an all-white community. The family eventually returned to San Jose, CA.

Teaching was Dr. SakamotoÕs career aspiration from the time he was in third grade. An internment camp teacher, a high school biology teacher, and numerous mentors reinforced his interest in education. He was a high school science teacher, counselor, and site administrator, Associate Dean of Students at San Jose State University, Deputy Superintendent, and eventually Superintendent, Mountain View-Los Altos High School District. His proudest accomplishment was the creation of racially balanced schools. Throughout his career, Dr. Sakamoto championed equity and fair treatment, always "testing the system" to demonstrate his convictions. At age 56, Dr. Sakamoto retired from education and opened Sakamoto Plants, a retail nursery in Los Gatos, CA.