Oakland Teachers Host Unsolicited Pro-Palestinian Teach-in

By Better Today On Dec 6, 2023

TL/DR –

Public school educators in Oakland, California, presented pro-Palestinian lessons as part of an unauthorized teach-in, which was condemned by Jewish groups and some parents, with calls for disciplinary action against participating teachers. The lessons, organized by a group of activists within the Oakland Education Association, included curriculum materials labeling Israel as an “apartheid state” and discussing “the historic and unfolding oppression and genocide of Palestinians.” The school district opposed the event, citing a policy requiring the impartial presentation of all sides of a controversial issue, but it remains unclear whether disciplinary action will be taken against participating teachers.

Pro-Palestinian Lessons Presented in Oakland Schools Amid Controversy

Public school teachers in Oakland, California, participated in an unauthorized teach-in on Wednesday, presenting pro-Palestinian lessons. The school district and several Jewish groups and parents criticized the event, with calls for disciplinary action against participating teachers.

Activists from the Oakland Education Association teachers’ union organized the teach-in. Union president Ismael Armendariz clarified that his group did not review the materials. The anonymous organizers provided a comprehensive list of curriculum materials, labelling Israel as an “apartheid state” and discussing the “oppression and genocide of Palestinians”.

The proposed curriculum, seen by teachers as counteracting a pro-Israel bias in mainstream education, highlighted Palestinian culture and condemned antisemitism. It included a coloring book that introduces the concept of Palestinian refugees’ right to return. An alphabet book, “P is for Palestine,” teaches “I is for Intifada, Intifada is Arabic for rising up for what is right”.

While it’s unclear how much of the materials were used, some teachers played a virtual panel discussion from the teach-in that included pro-Palestinian activists. Meanwhile, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Bay Area expressed concerns over the curriculum’s lack of “viewpoint diversity and age appropriateness”.

Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell opposed the teach-in, citing a policy of impartial presentation of controversial issues. The school district has yet to confirm any disciplinary action against teachers who participated.

Oakland is among several progressive cities in the San Francisco Bay Area known for strong criticism of Israel and the war in Gaza. The Oakland City Council recently passed a resolution calling for a cease-fire but did not denounce Hamas for its attacks in Israel. The Oakland teachers’ union has also co-sponsored local protests for Palestinian rights.

This controversial teach-in was not the first instance of criticism of Israel in the school district. The event and its curriculum faced criticism from parents, with one Israeli American parent labeling the curriculum as “misinformation”. However, some teachers expressed the need for constructive dialogue around contentious issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict.