After having been reassigned away from teaching journalism and the newspaper for the 2025-26 school year, a San Francisco Superior Court judge has ruled that Eric Gustafson be reinstated to his previous duties at Lowell High School. Judge Christine Van Aken cited California Education Code 48907, Section G, which protects teachers from retaliation for supporting their students’ First Amendment Rights.
For a recap of the case, check out this story by a student journalist at Palo Alto High School.
Update 04/09/26: Columbia Journalism Review: “Student, Teacher: Eric Gustafson on fighting for journalistic integrity at every level.“
Randy Hamm • Jan 28, 2026 at 5:57 am
So glad to read you are fighting the good fight in California.