California trainer who advised pupils to pledge allegiance to the pleasure flag is faraway from classroom

A California highschool trainer who advised her class to pledge allegiance to the homosexual pleasure flag as a substitute of the American flag has been placed on administrative depart.

Kristin Pitzen, of Newport Mesa College District in Orange County, posted a video explaining the incident on TikTok, and has now been faraway from the classroom as the college investigates.

Within the video, she admitted she’d eliminated the American flag as a result of it made her ‘uncomfortable’, and advised her class to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the homosexual pleasure flag.  

When one in every of her English class college students identified the American flag was lacking in the course of the pledge, she advised them to recite it to the rainbow one as a substitute.  

‘She has been faraway from the classroom and positioned on administrative depart, as our investigation continues,’ stated spokesperson Annette Franco in response to Fox Information.  

Over the weekend, the Newport Mesa College District opened an investigation into the incident.

‘We’re conscious of this incident and are investigating. Whereas we don’t focus on worker associated issues, we will let you know that exhibiting respect and honor for our nation’s flag is a worth that we instill in our college students and an expectation of our staff,’ Franco stated.  

‘We take issues like this significantly and will probably be taking motion to deal with it.’

The TikTok video posted by the trainer has since gone viral, sparking a backlash from many dad and mom who have been offended she was instructing kids to ‘disrespect’ the American flag. 

‘How can the phrases “for liberty and justice for all” deliver such hate in individuals? How can anybody have (an) subject with these phrases?’ one person replied. 

Some even questioned why she lives in America, calling on the college to fireplace her and fogeys to homeschool their youngsters.

Whereas others praised her, even going as far to say they wished she taught their very own kids.  

She stated she all the time tells her class: ‘Stand if you happen to really feel prefer it, do not stand if you happen to really feel prefer it. Say the phrases if you would like, do not must say the phrases.’ 

‘So my class determined to face however not say the phrases – completely nice,’ she stated. 

Within the controversial TikTok, Pitzen reveals that the Pledge of Allegiance is learn throughout third-period bulletins. 

‘Aside from the truth that my room doesn’t have a flag,’ Pitzen added.

‘It was there,’ she stated within the video as she pivots the digicam and factors to the wall within the entrance of the classroom. 

‘However I took it down throughout Covid,’ she stated, whispering that she did it ‘as a result of it made me uncomfortable’. 

She stated she ‘packed it away’ however would not know the place, laughing in a means that implied in any other case, prompting the college district to open an investigation.

‘And I have not discovered it but,’ Pitzen added, as she put her hand over her mouth to stifle fun.

When a pupil asks her the place the flag is, saying it is ‘kinda bizarre that we stand after which we are saying it (the Pledge of Allegiance) to nothing,’ the trainer shrugged it off and advised them: ‘I am engaged on it, I obtained you.’

The TikTok then cuts to Pitzen then silently mouthing ‘no’ whereas shaking her head.  

Within the meantime, she advised the coed: ‘We do have a flag within the class which you could pledge your allegiance to.’

‘And he goes: ‘Oh, that one’?’ she added as she reveals the homosexual pleasure flag hung within the classroom. 

The unique TikTok has since been taken down – together with all of Pitzen’s social media accounts – however has been seen on Twitter greater than 1.2million instances.  

An earlier video she posted on her account, the place she goes by @MrsGillingsworth, the trainer celebrated Satisfaction Month on June 1 and confirmed off how she is celebrating by hanging a wide range of pleasure flags in her classroom.

‘I pledge allegiance to the queers,’ she stated within the video whereas carrying rainbow glasses, earrings and suspenders.

Pitzen additionally confirmed the big pleasure flag she obtained at Goal and deliberate to hold on the wall – the identical one she later advised one in every of her college students they may say the Pledge to instead of the American Flag.   

‘I like you all very a lot. For the people who find themselves out, for the individuals who aren’t out – you are admire, you are beloved, you’re sufficient. I assist you,’ she stated on the finish of the video. 

The video was disgust by many on-line who blasted her for being ‘disrespectful to our American Flag.’

Others demanded she be fired and threatened to contact her faculty.

‘She must be reported instantly to the college board ASAP!! Thank god I haven’t got youngsters in class anymore.’

Many extra accused her of ‘indoctrinating’ their kids.

Not everybody disagreed with Pitzen, some praised her resolution whereas others stated they might have felt extra comfy pledging to the homosexual pleasure flag quite than the US one. ‘Reciting a pledge to any flag is cringe,’ one person commented.