Progress doesn’t always arrive quietly. Sometimes, it shows up in the voice of a child who refuses to sit down when something is clearly wrong.
That’s what happened at Deerfield Elementary School in Cedar Hills, Utah, when a fifth grader named Daniel with two dads shared something deeply personal, and was met with a response no child should ever hear from a teacher.
“I’m Thankful I’m Being Adopted”
The incident took place in November 2019, just before Thanksgiving break. A substitute teacher asked students in Daniel’s fifth-grade class to share what they were thankful for.
When it was Daniel’s turn, he smiled and said something that mattered deeply to him.
“I’m thankful that I’m finally going to be adopted by my two dads,” he said, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
Instead of acknowledging his joy, the substitute teacher responded with shock and hostility.
“Why on earth would you be happy about that?” she asked.
She went on to tell the class that two men living together was “a sin” and “wrong,” and reportedly told Daniel there was nothing he should be thankful for.
Daniel sat there, stunned.
Three Students Refused to Stay Silent
Before any adult could intervene, something extraordinary happened.
Three girls in the class stood up and told the substitute teacher to stop.
When the teacher continued, the girls walked out of the classroom together to report the incident to the principal.
Their actions brought the situation to an immediate halt. The substitute teacher was escorted out of the school that same day.
For Daniel, the moment was both painful and unforgettable, but he wasn’t alone.
“He Was Afraid We Wouldn’t Want Him”
School officials contacted one of Daniel’s fathers, Louis van Amstel, a professional dancer best known for Dancing With the Stars, to explain what had happened.
In an emotional Instagram video, van Amstel shared the impact the incident had on his son.
“She also tried to blame our son and told him that it was his fault that she went off,” he said.
What hurt the most, he explained, was Daniel’s fear afterward.
“[Daniel] was so fearful that this could make us think that we don’t want to adopt him,” van Amstel said, holding back tears. “That’s definitely not going to happen. But this situation really hurt him. This person really hurt us.”
Swift Action, and Community Support
The Alpine School District confirmed that the incident was investigated immediately.
“We are committed to having the best employees who care about all children in our schools,” district spokesperson David Stephenson said. “When situations come up like this, we quickly investigate and take appropriate action.”
The substitute teacher, who had been hired through staffing agency Kelly Services, was fired.
Stephenson also publicly praised the three girls who stood up for Daniel, highlighting their courage and integrity.
Soon after the story made headlines, neighbors and community members rallied around Daniel and his family. Paper hearts with messages of love and support appeared on their home, turning pain into a visible show of solidarity.
One month later, Daniel was officially adopted by Louis van Amstel and Josh Lancaster.
A Message That Reached Far Beyond One Classroom
In the years since, van Amstel has continued to speak openly about the experience. In 2024, he shared Daniel’s adoption journey on The LVA Podcast, reflecting on how the incident shaped their family, and the conversation around it.
Support poured in across social media.
“So disheartening to have an adult treat a child like that,” one supporter wrote. “You have such a beautiful family and the love shows.”
Another commented, “Your son is amazing. I love how his friends stood up to the teacher too.”
Not all reactions were kind. Some commenters used the moment to further criticize van Amstel’s family, highlighting the stigma that same-sex parents still face, even as public support for LGBTQ+ families has grown.
Studies consistently show that many gay parents encounter discrimination in places that should feel safe: schools, churches, medical offices, and even their own neighborhoods.
Why This Story Still Matters
This wasn’t just a story about intolerance. It was a story about courage.
Courage from a child who shared his truth.
Courage from three girls who stood up when an adult crossed a line.
And courage from parents who turned pain into a message of love and visibility.
Progress isn’t only measured by laws or polls. Sometimes, it’s measured by whether a child feels safe saying who they love, and whether others will stand beside them when it matters.
Daniel’s classmates did.
And that’s a lesson worth remembering.
Featured image from: Image by Shannon Anderson from Pixabay