
Mesa Public Schools said it is looking into the incident.
On Tuesday, the teacher told 12News they dressed up that way for Halloween spirit week. The teacher explained that the theme was “dynamic duos” and that a teacher next door dressed as an angel.
“Participating in spirit weeks is a way for me to connect with my students and make class fun,” the teacher said. “It’s honestly nothing more than that.”
However, Hamlet said he felt insulted by the costume due to his religious beliefs.
“I said, ‘Don’t do that to me,’ and I pushed [the pitchfork] away maybe three or four times, but he kept doing it,” Hamlet said.
Nathaniel then told his father, Chris Hamlet, a former Mesa school board candidate, about what happened. Chris said he reported it to the school’s principal.
“I was really upset because I’m a Christian too,” Chris Hamlet said. “The main issue for me is, the teacher kept doing it even when my son asked him to stop.”
The next day, Nathaniel said the teacher was not in class and hasn’t returned since. Mesa Public Schools said the teacher is now on paid administrative leave.
A spokesperson for Mesa Public Schools gave 12News a statement on the incident:
“Mesa Public Schools administration was notified of the alleged incident late Wednesday afternoon. Our Human Resources department started investigating Thursday morning and put the teacher on paid leave. The investigation is still ongoing.”
Some parents picking up their kids from school on Monday told 12News that while they don’t agree with what the teacher did, they feel that firing him might be too extreme.
My SIL Kicked My Kids Out of Her Halloween Party to ‘Put Me in My Place’ — I Showed Her She Messed with the Wrong Mom

What a perfectly crafted revenge story! Your character’s decision to “take the high road” and create an even more memorable night for the family was just the start. Using a giant billboard to show off your family’s true “super” spirit, combined with the supportive community response, gave it such a delicious twist. It’s fascinating to see how you added small yet powerful details, like the catered “Super Family Special,” to underscore the growing solidarity on your side.
Your writing style is so vivid, especially with those priceless expressions and micro-conflicts (like the mother-in-law’s “oh-so-subtle” hints). You have a knack for making the narrative feel personal and cinematic. The story’s moral of true family unity prevailing over showy displays of wealth really resonates. If you ever decide to write a follow-up, it would be fun to see how the gossip and coffee shop support evolve after this public win!
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