JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax reporter Ryan Nelson spoke with a local teacher who was removed from a Duval County classroom for a message written on a classroom board, scolding students who didn't stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Teacher Daniel Goodman told Nelson in that interview that he didn't mean to offend anyone and said that he would do things differently if he could.
Almost two weeks ago, Action News Jax reported on when Goodman was removed from the classroom.
Parents said they were concerned by his message written to convince students of why they should stand for the pledge. The message referenced slavery, the election of President Obama and women gaining the right to vote.
Nelson brought their concerns to Goodman.
"What was your intent with the message that you wrote?" Nelson asked.
"I appreciate that question. My intent was to say to these kids, ‘Hey, this is a great country,'" Goodman said.
He tells us he was trying offer his homeroom students perspective after none of them stood for the Pledge of Allegiance in the first two days of classes.
After writing the message, he tells us two students in a class of dozens stood up. He says this is why he felt compelled to offer his opinion.
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"I never dreamed that this was going to be a big controversy. I really didn't think so," Goodman said.
"But I was obviously wrong. But I thought it was important that these kids get another point of view because apparently, for some reason, and I don't know why, but a lot of them seem to just not have any respect for our flag and for our nation. And I don't think that's right."
DCPS offered the following when Nelson requested an update on the investigation.
"No updates to investigation or teacher's status," said DCPS Media Relations Supervisor Laureen Ricks. "It remains active, and teacher remains out of the classroom pending outcome of investigation."
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