The Millard School District asked a substitute teacher to leave after her comments about war and religion violated school policy, a district spokeswoman said.
The teacher, Geraldine Tyrance, defended what she said to the students. The Holy Spirit came over her, Tyrance said.
Tyrance filled in for a sick music teacher Wednesday at Black Elk Elementary near 161st and Harrison streets.
Though students were in music class, they had other things on their mind, Tyrance said. Students wanted to talk about the possible war with Iraq.
"The kids are worried sick about the war and nobody would talk to them," Tyrance said.
Tyrance told the kids if they had a problem, "they need to give it to Jesus, they don't need to worry about it."
Millard Public Schools spokeswoman Amy Friedman said children reported being upset by the comments the teacher made during class.
Friedman said some students told another teacher the comments had made them uncomfortable.
Parents told KETV NewsWatch 7 the teacher was then asked to leave for violating district policy.
"It's fine to talk religion and war if it's in current events class or social studies," Friedman said, "but you can't impose your personal view, and that's what happened in this case."
Tyrance said she knew what she did was against school policy, but she felt getting her message out was more important.
"If one child could be kept out of hell, then it's worth it," she said.
Tyrance said Millard administrators told her she could stay at school if she promised not to use the name of Jesus again; Tyrance said she couldn't do that.
If more Christians would stand up and do what they are supposed to do, Tyrance said, the world wouldn't be the place it is today.
Her statements were not antiwar, Tyrance said. She only meant to let the students know that if war were to occur, Jesus would save them.