The 98%
2024-12-07 20:08:30 UTC
A teacher was removed from her position at a California school for making
a mockery of the U.S. flag and pushing her own social agenda.
It was a laughable matter according to Kristin Pitzen, who joked in a
TikTok clip that she ripped the stars and stripes from her classroom walls
because it made her feel uncomfortable.
After, she urged her students to pledge their allegiance to the pride
flag, sparking backlash from many parents who were angry she was teaching
children to disrespect the American flag. Keep reading to learn more
about this teacher and why people are furious.
Kristin Pitzen, a teacher at Newport Mesa School District in Orange
County, posted a now deleted video on TikTok explaining that she removed
the American flag from her classroom because it made me uncomfortable.
I packed it away and I dont know where, and I havent found it yet, she
whispered into the camera while giggling.
https://cdn-main.newsner.com/wp-
content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/03111331/GettyImages-1133900660-
768x1201.jpg
Kristin Pitzen - Shoot On Sight. Credit: Paul Harris / Getty.
She then said that when the Pledge of Allegiance a sign of loyalty to
the country is read in the mornings, she instructs her class to: Stand
if you feel like it, dont stand if you feel like it, say the words if you
want, you dont have to say the words.
So, my class decided to stand but not say the words. Totally fine. Except
for the fact that my room does not have a flag, she said with
unrestrained laughter.
After, she describes a situation when one of her students asked what he
should look at while reciting the patriotic oath since there is no
American flag in the classroom.
Attempting to hold back laughter, she exclaimed: In the meantime, I tell
this kid, We do have a flag in the class that you can pledge your
allegiance to. And he like, looks around and goes, Oh, that one?
The camera then shifts to the wall where the pride flag is hanging.
Pushing pride
This wasnt the only time she pushed her agenda on her pupils.
In another now-deleted video, Pitzen showed her decorated classroom for
pride month with various flags.
I pledge allegiance to the queers, she said in the video.
She added: I love you all very much for the people who are out, who
arent out. Youre appreciated. Youre loved. Youre enough. I support
you. I got you.
A symbol of freedom
The community, and school board, did not appreciate or love the teacher
indoctrinating the pupils with her beliefs.
The video quickly gained attention and prompted backlash from people who
felt that Pitzens actions were inappropriate and disrespectful to the
American flag.
In response, several parents plugged the schools lawn with flags, with
one mother saying: We just heard the school was short some flags, so we
decided wed help them out to show our patriotism.
Michele Vaughn, whose son is in the military, continued: Id like to
share with her, if she doesnt know the importance of respecting the
flag.
Meanwhile, the online population was also enraged over Pitzens actions.
One netizen reminded Pitzen the flag is a living piece of history that
symbolizes the freedom she enjoys today: I dont think you really you get
it, teach them its for the people who gave you the freedom and happiness
you have now.
A second shared: You stand for the people who fought to keep freedom and
you dont understand how good we have it, and to insult the flag which
stands for our country?
Maybe shed like to live in Afghanistan, added a third.
Since the clip was posted in 2021, Pitzen who has since deleted all her
social media accounts is no longer in the classroom and the
investigation is ongoing.
The incident ignited the debate over issues such as freedom of expression,
respect for national symbols, and the role of educators in promoting
inclusivity and diversity in schools. It remains to be seen what further
actions, if any, will be taken by the school district in response to the
situation.
https://en.newsner.com/news/teacher-removes-u-s-flag-from-classroom-makes-
kids-pledge-allegiance-to-pride-flag/
a mockery of the U.S. flag and pushing her own social agenda.
It was a laughable matter according to Kristin Pitzen, who joked in a
TikTok clip that she ripped the stars and stripes from her classroom walls
because it made her feel uncomfortable.
After, she urged her students to pledge their allegiance to the pride
flag, sparking backlash from many parents who were angry she was teaching
children to disrespect the American flag. Keep reading to learn more
about this teacher and why people are furious.
Kristin Pitzen, a teacher at Newport Mesa School District in Orange
County, posted a now deleted video on TikTok explaining that she removed
the American flag from her classroom because it made me uncomfortable.
I packed it away and I dont know where, and I havent found it yet, she
whispered into the camera while giggling.
https://cdn-main.newsner.com/wp-
content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/03111331/GettyImages-1133900660-
768x1201.jpg
Kristin Pitzen - Shoot On Sight. Credit: Paul Harris / Getty.
She then said that when the Pledge of Allegiance a sign of loyalty to
the country is read in the mornings, she instructs her class to: Stand
if you feel like it, dont stand if you feel like it, say the words if you
want, you dont have to say the words.
So, my class decided to stand but not say the words. Totally fine. Except
for the fact that my room does not have a flag, she said with
unrestrained laughter.
After, she describes a situation when one of her students asked what he
should look at while reciting the patriotic oath since there is no
American flag in the classroom.
Attempting to hold back laughter, she exclaimed: In the meantime, I tell
this kid, We do have a flag in the class that you can pledge your
allegiance to. And he like, looks around and goes, Oh, that one?
The camera then shifts to the wall where the pride flag is hanging.
Pushing pride
This wasnt the only time she pushed her agenda on her pupils.
In another now-deleted video, Pitzen showed her decorated classroom for
pride month with various flags.
I pledge allegiance to the queers, she said in the video.
She added: I love you all very much for the people who are out, who
arent out. Youre appreciated. Youre loved. Youre enough. I support
you. I got you.
A symbol of freedom
The community, and school board, did not appreciate or love the teacher
indoctrinating the pupils with her beliefs.
The video quickly gained attention and prompted backlash from people who
felt that Pitzens actions were inappropriate and disrespectful to the
American flag.
In response, several parents plugged the schools lawn with flags, with
one mother saying: We just heard the school was short some flags, so we
decided wed help them out to show our patriotism.
Michele Vaughn, whose son is in the military, continued: Id like to
share with her, if she doesnt know the importance of respecting the
flag.
Meanwhile, the online population was also enraged over Pitzens actions.
One netizen reminded Pitzen the flag is a living piece of history that
symbolizes the freedom she enjoys today: I dont think you really you get
it, teach them its for the people who gave you the freedom and happiness
you have now.
A second shared: You stand for the people who fought to keep freedom and
you dont understand how good we have it, and to insult the flag which
stands for our country?
Maybe shed like to live in Afghanistan, added a third.
Since the clip was posted in 2021, Pitzen who has since deleted all her
social media accounts is no longer in the classroom and the
investigation is ongoing.
The incident ignited the debate over issues such as freedom of expression,
respect for national symbols, and the role of educators in promoting
inclusivity and diversity in schools. It remains to be seen what further
actions, if any, will be taken by the school district in response to the
situation.
https://en.newsner.com/news/teacher-removes-u-s-flag-from-classroom-makes-
kids-pledge-allegiance-to-pride-flag/