I was shocked when I found out that a teacher at a California school was removed for mocking the U.S. flag and pushing her own social agenda. Her name is Kristin Pitzen, and she actually joked about it in a TikTok video, which got a lot of people very angry.
Kristin Pitzen, a teacher in the Newport Mesa School District in Orange County, posted a video on TikTok where she explained that she took down the American flag in her classroom because it made her feel “uncomfortable.” She giggled and whispered into the camera, “I packed it away and I don’t know where, and I haven’t found it yet.”
During the Pledge of Allegiance, she told her students, “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.” She laughed and said, “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.”
One student asked her what they should look at while reciting the Pledge, since there was no American flag in the classroom. Trying to hold back laughter, she said, “In the meantime, I tell this kid, ‘We do have a flag in the class that you can pledge your allegiance to.’ And he looks around and goes, ‘Oh, that one?’” The camera then showed the pride flag hanging on the wall.
But that wasn’t all. In another video, Kristin showed her classroom decorated for pride month with various flags. She said, “I pledge allegiance to the queers,” and added, “I love you all very much – for the people who are out, who aren’t out. You’re appreciated. You’re loved. You’re enough. I support you. I got you.”
The community and school board were furious. The video quickly gained attention, and people felt that Kristin’s actions were disrespectful to the American flag. In response, several parents placed flags on the school’s lawn. One mother said, “We just heard the school was short some flags, so we decided we’d help them out to show our patriotism.”
Michele Vaughn, whose son is in the military, added, “I’d like to share with her, if she doesn’t know the importance of respecting the flag.”
Online, people were also upset. One person reminded Kristin that the flag symbolizes the freedom she enjoys today: “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.” Another said, “You stand for the people who fought to keep freedom and you don’t understand how good we have it, and to insult the flag which stands for our country?” Someone else added, “Maybe she’d like to live in Afghanistan.”
Since the video was posted in 2021, Kristin deleted all her social media accounts and is no longer in the classroom. The investigation is ongoing.
This incident sparked a debate over freedom of expression, respect for national symbols, and the role of educators in promoting inclusivity and diversity in schools. It’s still unclear what further actions the school district will take in response to the situation.
What do you think about this incident? Please share your thoughts with us and spread this story to hear what others have to say!
