Kristin Pitzen joked on TikTok about how she removed the American flag from her classroom walls because they made her feel “uncomfortable.”

Many parents were outraged that her students will be taught to “disrespect” the American flag after she encouraged them to pledge loyalty to the pride flag. For more information about this educator and the reasons behind the outrage, continue reading.

Teacher Kristin Pitzen of Orange County’s Newport Mesa School District said why she took down the American flag from her classroom in a TikTok video that she later removed: “because it made me uncomfortable.”

I packed it away and I don’t know where, and I haven’t found it yet,” she muttered into the camera, her laughter washing over her words.

She continued by saying that she tells her students to “Stand if you feel like it, don’t stand if you feel like it, say the words if you want, you don’t have to say the words,” during the morning reading of the Pledge of Allegiance, which is a symbol of national patriotism.