Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed Todd Guild as the author.
For the past 19 months, the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers (PVFT) has proudly observed our students, teachers, and community members courageously fighting for an ethnic studies program that fosters a deeper understanding of our diverse society. Community Responsive Education (CRE) was at the center of this fight.
Those familiar with CRE’s work, especially its antiracist foundation, know its value. The CRE training, led by San Francisco State professor and CRE Director, Dr. Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, helped our teachers learn how to best serve and empower our students. Those who participated in the CRE training found it supportive and not discriminatory towards any group; in fact, it empowered the diverse, often underserved, and marginalized student community we serve.
The decision not to renew the contract in September 2023 blindsided the many teachers and students who supported CRE, and we were offended by the accusation that Dr. Tintiangco-Cubales was anti-Semitic. The push to end CRE stemmed largely from unfounded accusations of antisemitism and must be viewed within the framework of national political divides. PVFT has proudly partnered with our community to foster public discussion and the implementation of democratic ideals locally. As public education faces increasing attacks, our commitment lies in building solidarity to support it. Our students look to us for guidance, and local school board decisions, along with negative portrayals of local control over ethnic studies, directly affect their learning. Our students have a right to learn about their history and culture and to see their experiences reflected in a community-based and culturally responsive manner—fundamental aims of PVUSD’s Ethnic Studies Program. This educational approach benefits everyone and honors and values the Pajaro Valley F.I.E.L.D.S. framework (Freedom, Identity, Empathy, Literacy, Dreams, Solidarity), developed by PVUSD educators in conjunction with CRE.
The recent reinstatement of the CRE contract—a significant win that all seven trustees unanimously supported—risks being overshadowed by current interpersonal conflicts within the Board of Trustees. While these issues warrant attention, they should not diminish the substantial progress achieved. PVFT’s priority remains advocating for students and educators, not contributing to division. It is concerning when personal or political aims divert focus from the primary objective of providing high-quality, equitable education for every student. We want to support the PVUSD School Board in fully realizing its mission to “educate and support learners in reaching their highest potential.”
When the school board has worked collaboratively, it has achieved significant progress. In the past year alone, it unanimously supported not only the renewal of the CRE contract, but also granting the Student Trustee the power to make motions during board meetings, thereby amplifying student voices.
Furthermore, the board has prioritized allowing student speakers to be heard during the public comment period. Moving forward, the union, district, and board face significant work ahead to resolve issues such as declining enrollment, student mental health, deteriorating facilities, budget uncertainties, attacks on our immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities, extreme regional unaffordability and teacher retention. Addressing these challenges, alongside other systemic inequities affecting student learning and working conditions, requires collective effort and collaboration.
PVFT is calling on all stakeholders to rise above the current discord and collectively focus our efforts on improving outcomes for students.
Preceding events, including this shameful article, show complete failure of PVFT to protect Jewish population and our children by misinforming and miseducating the next generation. A stubborn failure to recognize its’ antisemitism. When all the country is dismantling corrupted DEI imposed by the loud left-wing progressives of previous president, which somehow included all but the Jewish minority, this district is holding on to the erroneous views that Jewish minority in this area does not matter, can be bullied and accused and should not have a voice. When the Jewish members of this area are pointing to the worrisome program, this organization acts defensively, trying to protect itself and its antisemitic members, rather than accept the grievance, reflect, apologize, include and correct. This group seems to believe that Jews in our area are OK to be bullied, blamed, put in danger after the terror attacks on October 7, not the Hamas and its supporters. This program maliciously teaches the same antisemitic tropes of ‘oppressor/oppressed/colonizers’, naming as ‘oppressors’ the one democratic Jewish state, rather than lean with all their might to the truly guilty – the Islamic terrorists. It’s not a surprise though, as many officials and teachers in this group have been raised and brainwashed by the same universities and classes, fully paid by the Qatar/Iran/Hamas for many years. But this Jewish community can’t accept this program supporting antisemitism. We disagree with this teaching, will do our best to modify the program to include IHRA definition of antisemitism and teach not Islamism’s but valid story of current events and the history of Israel and Middle East. Your response here in this article – is not accepted and will be challenged further until we have a proper conversation, until you overcome your antisemitism and we can all live respectfully together.
“A cross is not hate speech. But when you burn it on your Black neighbor’s lawn, it is.
“Free Palestine” might not sound like hate speech. But when you chant it after shooting Jews outside a Jewish museum, it is.”
-Hen Mazzig
“We want to support the PVUSD School Board in fully realizing its mission to “educate and support learners in reaching their highest potential.”
Your goal is to brainwash the students into a lifelong state of victimhood.
It is unfortunate that PVFT responded to divisiveness with more divisiveness. I have to assume that the union members must all be true believers in this propaganda, or perhaps whoever wrote the article is speaking for just themselves while using the name of the union. If I was a teacher, I would consider withdrawing my membership from such a radical organization that is clearly focused on ideology over accountability and teaching students. Someone has to make this stupidity stop.