A teacher in California has been removed from her position after making controversial comments about the U.S. flag and promoting her own social agenda in the classroom.
Kristin Pitzen, who taught in the Newport Mesa School District in Orange County, posted a TikTok video explaining that she had taken down the American flag from her classroom because it made her feel “uncomfortable.” In the now-deleted video, Pitzen joked about not knowing where she had stored the flag and suggested her students pledge allegiance to the pride flag instead, sparking outrage among parents and the community.
In the video, Pitzen is seen whispering and giggling, explaining that during the Pledge of Allegiance, she gives her students the option to stand, sit, or say the words if they want to. She recounted how one student asked what they should look at since there was no flag in the room. Pitzen laughed as she told the student they could pledge allegiance to the pride flag hanging in the classroom.
This incident was not the first time Pitzen had displayed her personal beliefs in class. In another deleted video, she showed her classroom decorated with pride flags for Pride Month and declared, “I pledge allegiance to the queers,” expressing her support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The videos quickly went viral, causing a backlash from parents and the community who felt her actions were disrespectful to the American flag. In response, parents placed American flags on the school’s lawn to show their patriotism. One parent, Michele Vaughn, whose son is in the military, emphasized the importance of respecting the flag, saying, “I’d like to share with her, if she doesn’t know the importance of respecting the flag.”
Online, many expressed their disapproval of Pitzen’s actions, highlighting that the flag symbolizes the freedoms enjoyed today. Comments ranged from reminders of the flag’s historical significance to suggestions that Pitzen lacked an understanding of the sacrifices made for those freedoms.
Since the controversy, Pitzen has deleted her social media accounts and is no longer teaching. The school district is continuing to investigate the incident. This situation has sparked a broader debate on freedom of expression, the role of educators, and the respect for national symbols in schools. Future actions by the school district are yet to be determined.
