Kids get substitute teacher escorted from school after she told boy not to be thankful for his two gay dads
A substitute teacher has been fired after she subjected a fifth grade class to her anti-gay beliefs (Stock image: Envato Elements)
A substitute teacher was removed from a Utah school after she went on a ten-minute homophobic rant at a boy who said he was thankful to be adopted by his two gay dads.
The teacher was working at Deerfield Elementary in Cedar Hills, Utah in the week before Thanksgiving. She asked a class of fifth graders what they were thankful for this year.
The 11-year-old boy, who is identified only as DM, replied: “I’m thankful that I’m finally going to be adopted by my two dads.”
“Why on earth would you be happy about that?” the teacher allegedly snapped. “That’s nothing to be thankful for.”
She then launched into a ten-minute tirade against homosexuality that horrified the room of 30 children. Students say she furiously lectured the class on how “homosexuality is wrong” and “two men living together is a sin.”
Deerfield Elementary in Cedar Hills, Utah (Google Maps)
DM didn’t want to confront his teacher as he’s had two failed adoptions before, and was worried his dads might rethink their decision before his final court hearing on December 19.
Fortunately, three girls stepped up and repeatedly asked the substitute teacher to stop. When she continued they left the class to get the principal, who promptly escorted the woman out of the building.
The teacher was still arguing and trying to make her point as she was being taken off the premises. She also tried to blame the boy for her outburst.
DM’s fathers, Josh and Louis van Amstel, were contacted by school officials after the incident. Louis, a professional dancer on Dancing With The Stars, took to social media to share his horror at the teacher’s behaviour.
Our child was bullied. pic.twitter.com/gZ5yI0Z2F0
— Louis van Amstel (@LouisVanAmstel) November 22, 2019
“I’m proud of those three girls and Daniel’s school for standing up for our family against this bully,” he tweeted, adding: “I’m truly disgusted that the bully in this situation is a teacher in a public school.”
He told The Salt Lake Tribune that he and his partner were devastated to hear why DM didn’t stand up to the teacher.
“He was so fearful that this could make us think that we don’t want to adopt him,” he said, trying not to cry. “That’s definitely not going to happen. But this situation really hurt him. This person really hurt us.”
I’m truly disgusted that the bully in this situation is a teacher in a public school.#equalrights #allfamilies #allfamiliesmatter
— Louis van Amstel (@LouisVanAmstel) November 22, 2019
The school pieced the story together from multiple student accounts and the incident is now under investigation. The principal has reassured the boy’s parents that the woman will never be allowed to work in the school again.
Alpine School District spokesman David Stephenson said he cannot speak about personnel issues but noted that “appropriate action has been taken.”
A spokesperson for Kelly Services, the company that hired the substitute teacher, told told Fox 13: “We are concerned about any reports of inappropriate behaviour and take these matters very seriously.
“We conduct business based on the highest standards of integrity, quality, and professional excellence. We’re looking into this situation and we have no further comment at this time.”
DM’s adoption is going ahead as planned and is scheduled to be finalised on December 19 – the perfect Christmas present.
