You're watching...
Did a South Carolina teacher go too far in an attempt to illustrate a point to his students?
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
The South Carolina teacher's behavior sparking outrage guess that's the high school -- if you're an American flag on the floor and then he stopped all over it and it was in front of his students.
Of course parents why are angry and the teacher could get fired.
Michael -- daughters in the classroom when the incident happened he joins us along with his daughter Maggie welcome to both you Michael and -- -- to see you.
Thank you very much -- May let me start with -- since you're in the classroom -- what you saw what happened.
Well this -- he was teaching is about symbols and he gave us examples such as -- process symbolizes christianity.
And then he he took the flag.
And he said that is just a symbol of America is just he's a cloth with colors on it and they need your on the ground and stomped on it.
What -- -- reaction may be and then have lived.
Because students -- a classroom just watching -- anyone say anything to him.
Yeah we're all very shots and he even made a comment afterwards he said that at least we reacted better than his other class that he had a girl's screen and other costs.
Is -- a teacher that is typically well liked by the students.
Mom buys some of them I wouldn't say by all of them -- -- -- how did you find out about this.
Well we're getting ready to have dinner one night and Maggie made a comment about like mr.
-- stepping on the American flag and I said what do you mean.
And she said yeah he stepped on the flag house said we ended.
And she said that I didn't tell you about this lesson that.
And I said Starr from the beginning tell me exactly what happened so she tells the story just like she said.
As far as like what he did and what happened symbol you know what was the whole point of this thing.
Was there something he is trying to teach and she said -- -- I don't really don't remember anything.
I said was he just get over excited in the moment of saying something she said -- -- he did this in two of his other classes.
What dad what did you do that my -- contact anybody college teacher and say what's so when those.
Well what I did first was -- I was very very upset I mean I was just really.
To the point of shaking when she first told me this so I just did not what I -- all act.
Overreact don't read the very beginning so I went through the course of the rest of the week and I just asking the same questions over.
What happened again tell me again because -- to make sure that this was absolutely certain she said oh yes this happened.
So on Thursday morning that I found out -- about it -- Monday night Thursday morning.
I sent an email to the district superintendent.
And I copied all the members of the school board were elected into office as well as the local news affiliate.
WIS.
And and also -- off copy of it achieved various armed groups like my old Rotary Club and some boy scout units that I'm involved -- And and I -- job.
The story about what happened and what you told me.
And I said that and the very first person -- -- was superintendent.
And he said that he was not aware of this this the first he's heard of it and that he would immediately investigate this and he also added that he too was a veteran.
And that.
He did not agree with what may have happened.
The very next morning on Friday morning I received an email from him stating that on the initial investigation.
That he has been suspended the -- teacher.
-- or place him on administrative leave.
And that -- further investigation is underway.
Many prompted the teacher ever come back like the next day or -- in -- and say anything about it at all.
No he never mention it again.
My -- thank you both very much.
Can thank you very much credit.
And -- futures got -- teaching career is now of course in the hands of the school -- -- -- and lots of complaints from irate parents the board spent weeks investigate what really happened in the high school classroom they've interviewed mr.
-- to complete their investigation so are -- any closer find out -- -- the flag -- -- this a decision about mr.
-- job.
Mark -- is a spokesperson for the Lexington Richland.
Five school district he joins us.
Market column in terms of their what happened when he spoke to the teacher the -- say essentially what.
Meg he has ever counted as as what happen.
I guess real problem with.
With his audio.
Which makes exceedingly difficult to figure out what the reaction was but to -- -- to recap what happened in the school district does that day.
The teacher had stepped on the flag and the students were a little bit distracted or -- -- -- and they found a disheartening.
And reported to their parents and other parents have gotten.
-- at least some of the parents some are veterans and Denmark has now with us mark tell me what you in speaking to the teacher.
What you have understood it has happened what happened in the classroom.
Well -- I can't give you specifics because this superintendent.
It's gonna recommend this -- for -- so obviously the teacher may have some legal recourse but I can tell you that.
Immediately upon here in this we put that these are administrative leave always conducted a full investigation we want to make sure.
-- we heard all the facts before we move forward in the facts substantiated he did indeed take the flag off of the the wall and stepdaughter.
The conclusion of the investigation of superintendent determine the best course of action -- -- the future service orchestra.
Did the teachers say why he did it was and there's some -- of that educational purpose or does -- make an example or just -- good debater -- -- -- provoke a debate.
Again I'd have to let the teacher answer that question.
We whatsoever of complaints from fat parents -- -- in coming students in the classes not my parents and you have that -- contact him.
Oh my goodness well first of all.
The superintendent is well respected our community and believe that community.
Indicate it would take action so we've the communities -- in and really trust the superintendent to -- the right action.
But as the news has gotten out across the country we received phone calls and emails from across the country really appalled -- this behavior.
Well wait to see what happens.
And that -- that we're -- we have heard the end of the story mark thank you very much.
You're welcome.
