Teacher says bestselling author Jack Carr inspired students to embrace patriotism amid values debate

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Jack Carr reacts after teacher Kelly McGinnis shared how introducing high school students to Carr's books helped foster a greater appreciation of American ideals and participation during the Pledge of Allegiance. FIRST ON FOX: Bestselling author Jack Carr, who served the nation for 20 years as a Navy SEAL sniper and military leader, learned of an unusual story during his most recent book tour — and shared the details exclusively with Fox News Digital. He was speaking in Franklin, Tennessee, in mid-May to a crowd of people about his new novel, "The Fourth Option," when a high school teacher approached him afterward to relay an anecdote. More than half the students in the Mississippi teacher's class, the educator told Carr, were remaining seated during the Pledge of Allegiance each morning. Dismayed by that, the substitute teacher, Kelly McGinnis, of N