A California teacher who went viral for bragging in a video that she removed the American flag from her classroom and suggested her students pledge allegiance to the pride flag has been removed, pending an investigation.
“She has been removed from the classroom and placed on administrative leave, as our investigation continues,” Newport Mesa Schools spokesperson Annette Franco told Fox News.
The teacher was identified as Kristin Pitzen.
The video, which went viral on TikTok before being taken down, was posted on Twitter, as nothing can ever truly be removed from the internet.
“Okay, so during third period, we have announcements and they do the Pledge of Allegiance,” she said in the video. “I always tell my class, stand if you feel like it, don’t stand if you feel like it, say the words if you want, don’t have to say the words.”
Then she whispers that she removed the flag in her classroom because it “made [her] feel uncomfortable.”
“In the meantime, I tell this kid, ‘we do have a flag in the class that you can pledge your allegiance to,’” she said. “And he like, looks around and goes, ‘Oh that one?’” She continues, before showing the rainbow flag hanging on the wall.
Newport Mesa School District told Fox News that it had opened an investigation into the incident Friday.
“We are aware of this incident and are investigating,” Franco said. “While we do not discuss employee related matters, we can tell you that showing respect and honor for our nation’s flag is a value that we instill in our students and an expectation of our employees. We take matters like this seriously and will be taking action to address it.”
