Some California students have one less subversive teacher to deal with, at least temporarily.
Kristen Pitzen, a high school English teacher who giggled her way through a Tik Tok post about encouraging students to pledge allegiance to the LGBTQ pride flag instead of the American flag, has been removed from the classroom, according to The Blaze.
Pitzen, who teaches in the Newport Mesa Unified School District in Orange County, has been placed on administrative leave, and an investigation into her post is continuing, The Blaze reported.
In the video, as The Free Press recently noted, Pitzen shamelessly giggles while explaining that she removed the U.S. flag from her classroom because it made her “uncomfortable.” She also said she had no idea what happened to the flag.
When a student in her classroom inquired about what they should do during the Pledge of Allegiance, Pitzen said she directed him toward the gay-pride flag, and gestured toward the banner.
“We are aware that one of our teachers posted a video on their personal social media that caused alarm and concern related to saluting the American flag,” school district spokeswoman Annette Franco told The Blaze.
“Showing respect for our nation’s flag is an important value that we instill in our students and an expectation of our employees,” Franco added. “I assure you, we take matters like this seriously and will be taking action to address it.”
“The teacher is no longer in the classroom,” she continued. “We follow due process and our investigation continues.”
The Blaze noted that Piutzen had deleted her Tik Tok account, but the account @libsoftiktok had archived and shared it.
“After the story went viral online,” The Blaze reported, “local residents have placed dozens of miniature American flags and a few gay pride flags on the school grounds.”
Support journalism by clicking here to our GoFundMe or sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. It’s Free And Coming To Apple Users Soon