This story originally made headlines in September 2021 and is being republished.
In a controversial incident that has resurfaced from 2021, a California teacher was dismissed from her position after encouraging students to pledge allegiance to a Pride flag, sparking a renewed debate about the presence of progressive political symbols, such as Pride flags, in American classrooms.
Kristin Pitzen, the teacher at the center of the controversy, shared a video on social media in which she explained that she had asked her students to pledge allegiance to the Progress Pride flag, which represents various LGBTQ+ identities. Traditionally, the Pledge of Allegiance is meant to honor the United States flag, a practice that is becoming less common in many schools.
The Newport Mesa Unified School District took immediate action by launching an investigation into Pitzen’s behavior. The district acknowledged the concerns raised by parents and community members and reiterated the importance of respecting the American flag in school environments.
“We are aware of the video posted by one of our teachers on social media, which raised concerns about the Pledge of Allegiance,” stated Annette Franco, a spokesperson for the district. “Respect for our nation’s flag is a value we instill in students and expect from our staff. The teacher is no longer in the classroom, and our investigation is ongoing.”
In the video, which Pitzen later deleted, she described the moment in her classroom when she asked students to stand if they felt comfortable, remain seated if they didn’t, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance if they chose. “My class decided to stand but not say the words. Totally fine. But, my classroom doesn’t have a flag,” Pitzen explained in the video.
The teacher revealed that she had removed the American flag from her room during the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming it made her uncomfortable. “It used to be there,” she noted, pointing to an empty spot on the wall. “But I took it down during COVID because it made me uncomfortable, and I packed it away, but I haven’t found it yet.”
When students noticed the absence of the flag and questioned the pledge’s validity, Pitzen suggested an alternative. “‘In the meantime,’ I told one student, ‘we do have this flag in the room that you can pledge allegiance to.’ He looked around and said, ‘Oh, that one?’” she recounted, showing the Pride flag hanging in the classroom.
This incident has reignited discussions about the increasing presence of progressive ideologies in schools across the country. Meanwhile, conservative states are pushing back with new laws and policies. For example, Louisiana has passed a law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, while Oklahoma has introduced measures requiring the inclusion of Christian teachings in school curricula.
These developments underscore a growing ideological divide in the education system, with conservative states emphasizing the importance of traditional values and historical education. Pitzen’s case serves as a reminder of the ongoing cultural clash within American classrooms, as different communities and policymakers seek to influence the direction of education in the country.
