On October 31, 2023, OUSD’s Chief Academic Officer called on teachers to “support our students in learning about the human tragedy in Gaza and Israel” and sent out curricular resources and lesson plans. These resources had little information about the crisis Gazans are living through at this moment and, further, none of the provided materials were authored by Palestinians, yet there were lesson plans by two Zionist lobbying groups—the Anti-Defamation League and the Institute for Curriculum Services.

Both in response to the inadequacy of the district’s resources, and in an effort to utilize our particular effort as educators, “OEA for Palestine,” a rank-and-file group of Oakland Educators organizing for Palestinian liberation, put together a list of curricular resources in collaboration with Palestine education organizations and the OUSD community and called for educators across the district to teach about Palestine on December 6th.

Nearly 100 teachers across 30+ schools filled out the registration form indicating an intent to participate, and we know that several hundred students viewed the livestream panel. One participating teacher said of the “OEA for Palestine” resources that they “opened a really impactful discussion in 4th grade about injustice.” Another teacher noted that her students did not get to the art component of the lesson because students’ questions and conversation went on for so long.

The teacher noted that students were curious about the Jewish diaspora that led to the creation of the State of Israel, the connections between the anti-colonial struggle of Palestinians and that of Indigenous Americans, and why so many people were suffering due to the choices of a few political leaders.

Secondary students engaged with a virtual panel which included speakers from the Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace Bay Area, and the Black Alliance for Peace and was moderated by an OUSD parent. Panelists spoke about their personal relationship to the Palestinian struggle for freedom and how it connects to issues students face in Oakland and the Bay Area.

While a few parents expressed their disapproval because they did not believe the content to be school appropriate, many Oakland students, parents and community members reached out to express their gratitude for the teach-in. One parent wrote in an email: “I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you. As an Arab Muslim who was born and raised in Oakland, I experienced the aftermath of 9/11 as a 3rd grader, enduring negative treatment from both teachers and peers, and bullying during my middle school years. Now, as a parent with two children in OUSD schools, I am disheartened to learn that my son has been facing similar challenges… Thank you for your unwavering commitment and for being a beacon of hope in our community.”

“OEA for Palestine” aims to build on the success of the teach-in and bring even more teachers and organizers together in support of Palestine. To join, email OEAforPalestine@gmail.com.