Kristin Pitzen, a teacher at Newport Mesa School District in Orange County, was removed from her classroom after a viral TikTok showed her removing the American flag because it made her feel “uncomfortable.” She joked that students could instead pledge allegiance to a pride flag hanging in the room.
In another deleted video, Pitzen said, “I pledge allegiance to the queers,” while showcasing pride decorations. The clips sparked outrage from parents and the community, who accused her of disrespecting the U.S. flag and pushing a personal agenda in the classroom. Parents responded by placing American flags outside the school.
One mother, whose son serves in the military, emphasized the importance of respecting national symbols. Online critics echoed similar views, with some calling Pitzen’s actions unpatriotic.
Pitzen has since deleted her social media accounts, and the school confirmed she is “no longer in the classroom.” The incident continues to fuel debate about patriotism, free expression, and the role of personal beliefs in education.