Oakland teacher removed from ‘no-rehire’ list
by: Amy Larson
Posted: Aug 28, 2025 / 08:50 AM PDT
Updated: Aug 28, 2025 / 09:56 AM PDT
(KRON) — Oakland educators voiced their support for an Oakland High School teacher who was allegedly fired after attending a pro-Palestinian meeting.
The teacher’s supporters said Oakland Unified School District fired teacher Kevin Sun in 2024 and added Sun to OUSD’s “no-rehire list” to prevent the teacher from returning to any of Oakland’s public schools.
“The District took these actions shortly after Sun’s public involvement in a meeting of Bay Area Labor for Palestine that was endorsed by Sun’s union, the Oakland Education Association (OEA). That meeting and Sun’s firing came not long after top OUSD officials had publicly threatened disciplinary action against educators participating in an OEA-supported teach-in on Palestine,” a statement from supporters explained.
Sun was punished for “union activity opposing the genocide in Gaza,” supporters claim.
Judy Greespan, a substitute teacher and union board member, said, “Kevin was a dedicated new teacher in Oakland who received no support from administration in their first year, and then was punished for engaging in legally protected union activity.”
Oakland teachers’ union deletes post calling for ‘unequivocal support’ for Palestine
Denise Saddler took over as the district’ interim superintendent in July and replaced longtime superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell.OUSD teachers hold unsanctioned pro-Palestine teach-in
OEA filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge accusing OUSD of carrying out retaliation against Sun. On Wednesday, the teacher and school district leaders reached an agreement, Sun said.
Sun wrote in a statement, “I came to an agreement with OUSD that was satisfactory to all parties, which includes removing me from the do-not-rehire list. Thank you to everyone who has supported me this past year and half. The solidarity from friends, colleagues, and the Bay Area Palestine movement has meant the world to me.”
Discover more from Labor for Palestine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
