Halloween sparks controversy each year. While some view the holiday as an opportunity to eat candy and dress up in fun costumes, others deem the celebrations go too far. This year, a high school teacher in Mesa, Arizona, dressed up in a devil costume and reportedly said, “Hail Satan” to the students. Nathaniel Hamlet, a sophomore in the class, spoke with 12 News and said he was “insulted.” Since then, the teacher has been put on administrative leave as the school district investigates the incident.
“Some people thought it was funny, some people didn’t like it, some people were like ‘whatever,’ they just blew it off,” Hamlet said.
Teacher on Administrative Leave After Wearing a Devil Costume and Reportedly Taunting Students
Ahead of Halloween, Mesa High School planned a spirit week where students and staff were encouraged to dress up and participate. As the teacher who is now on leave explained, the spirit week theme for that day was “dynamic duo.” The teacher next door dressed up as an angel.
“Participating in spirit weeks like this is a way for me to engage with my students and bring fun to my classroom,” the offending teacher said. “It’s truly not any more complicated than that.”
However, Hamlet described a very different situation. The teacher reportedly said, “Hail Satan” and pointed a pitchfork toward students—often getting close to their faces. The student said the teacher did this repeatedly to multiple students.
“I said, ‘Don’t do that to me’ and I pushed [the pitchfork] away, maybe three or four times and he still said it and still did it,” recalled Hamlet.
Hamlet said, “I was kind of insulted because of my faith, because I believe in God.”
Students and parents shared a variety of reactions to what happened in the Mesa classroom. Some haven’t given it a second thought, while others are calling for the teacher in question to be fired.
Mesa Public Schools gave 12 News a written statement regarding the incident:
Mesa Public Schools administration was notified of the alleged incident at Mesa High School late Wednesday [Oct. 25] afternoon after school hours. Our Human Resources department began the investigation Thursday morning and placed the teacher on paid administrative leave pending the result of the investigation. The investigation remains ongoing.
Chris Hamlet Had Run for Mesa Unified School Board—Against ‘Indoctrination, Hypersexualization and Grooming’
Nathaniel’s father is a conservative politician who often receives support from far-right Republicans. Chris said in a recent Facebook post, “Evil is rampant within the Republican party as well; we need WARRIORS for CHRIST!”
The incident with his son, Nathaniel, has gone viral on social media. Chris, his supporters, and those who oppose him are not keeping their opinions to themselves.
