A California school fired a teacher for making fun of the American flag and promoting her personal social agenda.
Kristin Pitzen, who joked in a TikTok video that she tore the stars and stripes off her classroom walls because it made her feel “uncomfortable,” said it was a hilarious issue.
She then called on her students to swear loyalty to the American flag, which infuriated many parents who felt she was teaching them to “disrespect” it.To find out more about this teacher and the reasons behind the outrage, continue reading.
In a since-deleted TikTok video, Kristin Pitzen, a teacher at the Newport Mesa School District in Orange County, stated that she took down the American flag from her classroom “because it made me uncomfortable.”
She giggled as she muttered into the camera, “I packed it away and I don’t know where, and I haven’t found it yet.”
She went on to claim that she gives her students instructions to “stand if you feel like it, don’t stand if you feel like it, say the words if you want, you don’t have to say the words” when the Pledge of Allegiance, a symbol of allegiance to the nation, is recited aloud in the mornings.
Thus, my class chose to stand without uttering the words. All right. With uncontrollable laughing, she remarked, “Aside from the fact that my room does not have a flag.”
She then talks about a time when one of her students inquired what he should look at because there was no American flag in the classroom when he was saying the patriotic pledge.
“In the meantime, I tell this kid, ‘We do have a flag in the class that you can pledge your allegiance to,’” she said, trying not to giggle. And he gazes around, thinking, “Oh, that one?”
After that, the camera moves to the wall with the pride flag hanging on it.
Putting pride first
She had already pressed her agenda on her students.
Pitzen demonstrated how she used several flags to decorate her classroom for Pride Month in another since-deleted video.
In the video, she declared, “I pledge allegiance to the queers.”
“I love you all very much, whether you’re out or not,” she continued. You are valued. You are cherished. You are sufficient. You have my support. I understand you.
An emblem of liberty
The instructor indoctrinating the students with her ideals was not loved or appreciated by the school board or the community.
People who thought Pitzen’s actions were improper and insulting to the American flag rapidly took notice of the video and reacted negatively.
With one mother stating: “We just heard the school was short some flags, so we decided we’d help them out to show our patriotism,” other parents responded by putting flags on the school’s yard.
“I’d like to share with her, if she doesn’t know the importance of respecting the flag,” added Michele Vaughn, whose son serves in the military.
In the meantime, Pitzen’s actions infuriated the online community as well.
“I don’t think you really get it, teach them it’s for the people who gave you the freedom and happiness you have now,” said one netizen, reminding Pitzen that the flag is a living piece of history that represents the freedom she enjoys now.
Another said: “You represent those who have struggled to preserve freedom, and you don’t realize how fortunate we are, and to disparage the flag that represents our nation?”
A third said, “Perhaps she would prefer to live in Afghanistan.”
Pitzen, who has now removed all of her social media accounts, “is no longer in the classroom” after the 2021 clip was posted, and the investigation is still underway.
The incident sparked a discussion about topics including respect for national symbols, freedom of speech, and the role of teachers in fostering diversity and inclusivity in the classroom. The school district’s next course of action, if any, in reaction to the situation is still unknown.
