A California teacher lost her job after publicly mocking the U.S. flag and pushing her personal social agenda in the classroom.
Kristin Pitzen shared a TikTok video joking about tearing down the American flag from her classroom walls because it made her feel “uncomfortable.” But she didn’t stop there — she then encouraged her students to pledge allegiance to the Pride flag instead.
Her actions ignited a fierce backlash from parents who say she was teaching children to disrespect the nation’s symbol.
Keep reading to discover more about this controversial incident and why so many people are upset.
Kristin Pitzen, a teacher in the Newport Mesa School District in Orange County, sparked controversy after posting a now-deleted TikTok video explaining why she removed the American flag from her classroom.
In the clip, she quietly admitted, giggling, “I packed it away because it made me uncomfortable… I don’t even know where it is now, and I haven’t found it yet.”
She went on to explain how, during the morning Pledge of Allegiance—a traditional show of loyalty to the country—she gives her students full freedom.
“Stand if you want, don’t stand if you don’t. Say the words if you want, you don’t have to,” she says.
Her class reportedly chose to stand silently. “Totally fine—except my classroom doesn’t even have a U.S. flag,” she added, laughing uncontrollably.
When one curious student asked what to look at while reciting the pledge without a flag present, she barely held back laughter and replied, “We do have a flag in the room you can pledge allegiance to.”
The camera then pans to reveal the Pride flag hanging proudly on the wall.
But this wasn’t the only time she pushed her personal agenda on students.
In another now-deleted video, Pitzen showcased her classroom decked out with various Pride Month decorations and flags.
With a bold smile, she declared, “I pledge allegiance to the queers.”
She then expressed support for her students, saying, “I love you all very much — whether you’re out or not. You’re appreciated. You’re loved. You’re enough. I support you. I got you.”
But not everyone shared her enthusiasm.
The local community and school board strongly rejected what they saw as an attempt to indoctrinate students with personal beliefs.
The videos quickly sparked outrage, with many accusing Pitzen of disrespecting the American flag and crossing the line in the classroom.
In response, a wave of parents showed their patriotism by planting American flags on the school’s lawn. One mother explained, “We heard the school was running low on flags, so we decided to help out—and remind everyone what patriotism looks like.”
Michele Vaughn, whose son serves in the military, added, “I’d like to teach her the importance of respecting the flag if she doesn’t already understand it.”
The backlash wasn’t limited to the local community. Online, many voiced their anger over Pitzen’s actions.
One commenter reminded her that the flag is a living symbol of the freedoms she enjoys: “She doesn’t seem to get it. Teach the kids that the flag represents the people who fought for their freedom and happiness.”
Another wrote, “You stand for the sacrifices made to preserve freedom. To insult the flag is to disrespect our country.”
A third suggested, “Maybe she’d prefer living in Afghanistan.”
Since the video surfaced in 2021, Kristin Pitzen—who has deleted all her social media accounts—“is no longer in the classroom,” while the investigation into the matter continues.
The incident has sparked a heated debate over freedom of expression, respect for national symbols, and the role teachers should play in promoting inclusivity and diversity.
What actions the school district might take next remain uncertain.
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