A Missouri kindergarten teacher testified Thursday in support of a bill that would prohibit the Common Core State Standards in the state’s public schools – despite efforts by others to keep her from speaking out.

Susan Kimball, a 20-year veteran teacher, told the Missouri Senate Education Committee that she has been bullied and intimidated since she began opposing the controversial standards, according to The Missouri Torch.

“I have been strongly discouraged from saying anything negative about Common Core by my administration and some School Board members,” she told the committee.

She and others were warned about speaking out on several occasions, Kimball said.

“In a professional development meeting, um, in-service in November, and at a faculty meeting in January, we were told in my building, and I quote, ‘Be careful about what you post on Facebook, or talk about in the public regarding Common Core,” she said. “Don’t say anything negative. It could affect your job.”

The teacher admitted the directives made her “nervous.”

“It’s so hard for me to speak,” she said. “Because you have no idea what I have been through over the past six weeks because of my stand. And the reason I took this stand is because it was right for my kids. They’re my main priority.”

Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, who was present in the audience at the hearing, told Kimball he was shocked by her testimony.

“Surely it’s incumbent of all of us who hold, who are custodians of these offices who belong to the people, to protect you and teachers like you from the sinister intimidation you described,” he said, encouraging Kimball to stay in touch with his office.

Watch Kimball’s testimony here via The Missouri Torch:

Watch also: ‘Lunch lady said I can’t pray,’ 5-year-old tells her parents