OC school district investigating teacher's video suggesting students pledge allegiance to pride flag

A teacher in Orange County is out of the classroom as school district officials investigate a controversial video she posted on social media.

In a TikTok video, she talks about how she removed the American flag and jokes about pledging allegiance to the LGBTQ pride flag.

She also reportedly explains that she took down the American flag in her room while students were learning remotely because it made her "uncomfortable" and she couldn't find it for the new school year.

Kristin Pitzen teaches English as second language, though the district did not identify which school she works at.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District told Eyewitness News that they are taking the matter seriously.

"Showing respect for our nation's flag is an important value that we instill in our students and an expectation of our employees," Annette Franco said. "The teacher is no longer in the classroom. We follow due process and our investigation continues."