A California teacher lost her job in 2021 after encouraging her students to pledge allegiance to a pride flag in her classroom—an incident that has reignited debate over political symbols in schools.
Kristin Pitzen, the teacher at the center of the controversy, had posted a video on social media showing her classroom where the American flag was absent and suggesting students could instead pledge allegiance to the progress pride flag—a symbol representing LGBTQ+ communities. Traditionally, the Pledge of Allegiance is meant to honor the United States flag, though its use in schools has declined in recent years.
The Newport-Mesa Unified School District quickly launched an investigation following community backlash. Parents and local residents raised concerns, prompting the district to affirm its commitment to patriotic values in schools.
District spokesperson Annette Franco stated, “We are aware of the video shared on the teacher’s personal social media that raised concerns regarding the salute to the American flag. Respecting the nation’s flag is a core value we promote in our schools and expect from our staff. The teacher is no longer teaching, and our investigation remains ongoing.”
In the since-deleted TikTok video, Pitzen described the situation, saying she told students they could sit, stand, or say the pledge if they wanted. According to her, the class stood but chose not to recite the words. She acknowledged that the American flag had been removed during the COVID-19 pandemic because it made her uncomfortable and admitted she didn’t know where it currently was.
When a student questioned the absence of the flag and asked how they were supposed to pledge allegiance, Pitzen pointed to a pride flag on the wall and said, “We do have this flag.” The student reportedly replied, “Oh, that one?”
The event underscores broader tensions around ideology in education. While progressive themes are gaining visibility in classrooms across the country, conservative states have been actively pushing back. For instance, Louisiana recently passed a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms.
Similarly, Oklahoma is advancing efforts to include Christian teachings in its school curriculum. According to The Christian Tribune, Oklahoma’s State Superintendent Ryan Walters emphasized the importance of the Bible in education. “The Bible is a critical piece of our cultural and historical understanding. Without it, students lack a full picture of our nation’s origins,” he stated.
As American classrooms become increasingly reflective of the nation’s cultural divide, cases like Kristin Pitzen’s highlight the ongoing tug-of-war over what values should guide the education of future generations.
