When an 11-year-old shared that he was thankful for being adopted by his two dads, a substitute teacher publicly berated him. Three classmates immediately stood up.
A Boy Finally Finds a Family, Then Faces Cruel Judgment
Daniel, an 11-year-old fifth grader at Deerfield Elementary School in Cedar Hills, Utah, had already lived a life far more complicated than most children his age. He had been moved through the foster care system, experienced two failed adoptions, and lived with constant uncertainty about where he belonged.
In 2019, things finally changed. A loving couple, who would soon become his permanent fathers, brought him into their home. For the first time, Daniel had stability, safety, and the promise of a forever family.
So when a substitute teacher asked students to share something they were thankful for ahead of Thanksgiving, Daniel’s answer came straight from the heart:
He was thankful to finally be adopted by his two dads.
To his shock, the teacher did not celebrate his joy.
A Substitute Teacher’s Harsh, Public Outburst
Instead, she humiliated him in front of his classmates.
According to students, the teacher told Daniel:
- “That’s nothing to be thankful for.”
- “Two men living together is a sin.”
- “Homosexuality is wrong.”
In a room of 30 fifth graders, Daniel sat silently, embarrassed and stunned. He later told his soon-to-be parents that he didn’t speak up because their final adoption hearing was approaching on December 19, and he was terrified of jeopardizing it.
He’d already survived two failed adoptions. He wasn’t about to risk a third.
Three Girls Refused to Stay Silent
While Daniel remained quiet, three girls in the class immediately stood up for him.
The girls walked out of the classroom and reported the teacher’s behavior to the principal. School staff quickly intervened. The substitute was removed from the building.
On her way out, she delivered one last blow: she blamed Daniel, telling him it was his fault she was being escorted out.
The Community and School Respond
One of Daniel’s future parents, Louis van Amstel, a former professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars, expressed outrage in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous and horrible what she did. We were livid. It’s 2019, and this is a public school.”
The Alpine School District did not release specifics but commended the students who intervened. Spokesperson David Stephenson said:
“Fellow students saw a need, and they were able to offer support. It’s awesome what happened as far as those girls coming forward.”
Kelly Services, the company that supplied substitute teachers for the district, also issued a statement:
“We are concerned about any reports of inappropriate behavior and take these matters very seriously… We conduct business based on the highest standards of integrity, quality, and professional excellence.”
The company later confirmed the substitute teacher was terminated.
Support Poured In for Daniel and His Family
After the story made national news, the family’s home was covered in hand-made paper hearts from community members. Messages like “We love you” and “We support you” arrived from neighbors who wanted Daniel to know he was valued and loved.
And years later, photos show Daniel thriving, happy, confident, and surrounded by support.
A Lesson as Relevant in 2025 as It Was in 2019
Though this incident happened in 2019, the relevance is undeniable today. In 2025, LGBTQ+ rights, including protections for same-sex marriage, once again face political threats.
As debates intensify and prejudice resurfaces, Daniel’s story offers a powerful reminder:
Bigotry thrives in silence, courage thrives when people speak up.
Three elementary school girls recognized that truth instantly. They did what many adults struggle to do.
Their bravery not only helped a boy who had already endured so much, but also demonstrated what real allyship looks like.
Sometimes, children lead the way.
Image from: Julie Rose from Pixabay