Teacher Fired: Stepping On Flag In Class Costs Illinois High School Teacher His Job


A teacher has been fired for stepping on a flag during class at a high school in Illinois. According to Fox News, English teacher Jordan Parmenter was terminated this week after the incident which occurred on May 15. Parmenter was in the middle of teaching a lesson when he made the decision to stomp on the flag as an “example.” While reports indicate that he “instantly regretted” his actions, the school board chose to terminate his employment anyway.

“Parmenter told the Journal Gazette earlier in June the incident occurred when he was teaching his English class on free speech. Parmenter used the small American flag on the corner of the room as a pointer. A student called Parmenter out for using the flag as a pointer, saying it was disrespectful. Paramenter said he then dropped the flag on the floor and stepped on it to show an example of free speech as part of the lesson. Parmenter apologized to the class and instantly regretted the decision he made.”

The teacher fired for stepping on a flag loved his job, and issued an apology to the school, and a statement to the media, explaining that he didn’t mean any disrespect.

“What I did was never intended as a show of disrespect to our country, to our veterans, or to anyone, nor would I ever do or say anything with that intention. I love my country and have nothing but the utmost respect for those who serve it.”

According to Mail Online, Parmenter, 26, has thought about controversial subjects before, and in 2013, he posted an article on Facebook about a school’s “Nazi assignment.” While he did say that this type of lesson would be tricky to teach, he did say that these controversial assignments can be “valuable” because it forces students to look at situations from a different perspective.

“I have loved working for Martinsville and have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to help our students achieve success. I assure you that nothing of this nature will ever occur again,” Parmenter said.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the Martinsville School District board voted 6-0 to fire him from his job weeks after he was placed on administrative leave.

Do you think the school board made the right move? Do you think that this kind of “show vs. tell” lesson learning is ever acceptable? Sound off in the comments below.

[Photo by Stephen Morton / Getty Images]

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