Parents in Missouri are rallying in support if a teacher… who was fired after thanking kids for saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jim Furkin, 66, was substituting at Parkway South High School when the Pledge of Allegiance came over the loudspeaker.
22 of the 24 kids in the classroom stood up.
“I say, ‘Let’s go.” The kids get up — 24 kids in class — and 22 got up,” said Furkin, in an interview with local news. “I say, ‘Thank you very much, all of you that participated. I appreciate that. I’m sure all of those families that lost loved ones so we could have the freedoms we have today would appreciate that, too.’ That’s what I said.”
The school administration, however, was outraged over Furkin’s patriotism.
“By praising certain students for standing, the students who made the decision not to stand were humiliated,” claimed district spokeswoman Cathy Kelly.
Furkin said he tried to explain himself, but the school refused to budge. “I said, ‘Oh, I didn’t mean it that way, that wasn’t my intent at all,’” Furkin said. “He said ‘We’ll get back to you,’ and then the next day after that, I’m no longer welcome in the building.”
Furkin said he has had trouble getting other substitute teaching jobs now, because he’s now listed as having “bullied” students.
But parents are firmly on his side: more than 800 people have signed the petition, urging to school to reinstate Furkin.
