Bloomberg via Getty Images Betsy DeVos commented on her recent visit to Jefferson Academy in Washington, D.C.

A Washington, D.C. public school is firing back after U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos criticized its teachers for having a “receive mode” attitude.

In an interview with the conservative news site, Townhall, published on Feb. 16, DeVos expressed her belief that public school teachers are “limited by the top-down, one size fits all approaches, either at the school level, the district level, the state level, or in all too many cases, the federal decree.”

DeVos then referenced Jefferson Academy, which she visited on Feb. 10. She stated:

“I visited a school on Friday and met with some wonderful, genuine, sincere teachers who pour their heart and soul into their classrooms and their students and our conversation was not long enough to draw out of them what is limiting them from being even more success from what they are currently. But I can tell the attitude is more of a ‘receive mode.’ They’re waiting to be told what they have to do, and that’s not going to bring success to an individual child. You have to have teachers who are empowered to facilitate great teaching.”

Protesters initially blocked the Education Secretary from entering Jefferson Academy on that day, but she ultimately made it inside and visited several classrooms. At the end of her visit, she told reporters that the school was “awesome.”

“It was really wonderful to visit this school, and I look forward to many visits of many great public schools, both in D.C. and around the country,” DeVos stated.

Needless to say, school officials were taken aback by Devos’ later comments about its teachers.

The Jefferson Academy Twitter account unleashed a tweetstorm, starting by saying they were about to take Devos “to school.” The series of 11 tweets praised the teachers DeVos met during her visit and touted their individualized approaches to teaching students.

This is what Sec. DeVos said about our teachers after her visit. Needless to say, we're about to take her to school... @dcpublicschools pic.twitter.com/Wcx1YyqDHL — Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017

First, the secretary visited the classroom of Ashley Shepherd and Britany Locher, a dynamic co-teaching team that differentiates for the... — Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017

needs of students ranging from a first grade level to an eighth grade level in reading. They build amazing relationships with students and.. — Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017

maintain a positive classroom environment focused on rigorous content, humor, and love. They aren't waiting to be told what to do. — Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017

Then she saw Latisha Trent in action. Ms. Trent has been at Jefferson for 3 years, and each year her students grow MULTIPLE grade levels... — Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017

in Math. EVERY student realizes his or her maximum potential in Ms. Trent's room. She isn't waiting to be told what to do. — Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017

Then the Sec. met Band teacher Jessica Harris, who has built our Music program from the ground up. Ms. Harris pours her heart into her work. — Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017

Ms. Harris is patient, kind, relentless, and reflective. She is everything you want in a teacher. She isn't waiting to be told what to do. — Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017

Morgan Markbreiter was there as well. Ms. MB has unleashed the passion of countless students through her Video Game Design course. MB also.. — Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017

runs our INCREDIBLE after-school program, which provides FREE tutoring and enrichment to our kids. She isn't waiting to be told what to do. — Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017

JA teachers are not in a "receive mode." Unless you mean we "receive" students at a 2nd grade level and move them to an 8th grade level. — Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017

”JA teachers are not in a ‘receive mode.’ Unless you mean we ‘receive’ students at a 2nd grade level and move them to an 8th grade level,” the last tweet reads.

Parents, educators and local officials also defended the school and criticized the Education Secretary for mischaracterizing its teachers to make a political point about federal education programs.

DeVos tries to use Jefferson MS as political photo-op; then trashes our Ward6 teachers after? She should be ashamed! https://t.co/HNzNbMcr6s — Charles Allen (@charlesallen) February 18, 2017

We should all want our children taught by incredible @dcpublicschools teachers like those @JATrojans. @BetsyDeVosED https://t.co/hoYuDUNWHh — A Smith (@ahnnakim) February 18, 2017

Perhaps you should go into receive mode, @BetsyDeVos, and learn a thing or two from the educators at @JATrojans and across America. — Sizzlene (@Sizzlene) February 18, 2017

Whenever I need to see a committed staff and great instruction and see true transformation, I visit @JATrojans. You should too. — Jacqueline Greer (@JacquelineinEd) February 18, 2017

DeVos, who has been criticized for her lack of professional experience in public education, responded to Jefferson Academy’s tweets.

“Your teachers are awesome! They deserve MORE freedom to innovate and help students,” she tweeted.

The Education Secretary then reiterated the statements she made during her interview about government programs aimed at improving education. “Great teachers deserve freedom and flexibility, not to constantly be on the receiving end of government dictates,” she wrote.

.@JATrojans Your teachers are awesome! They deserve MORE freedom to innovate and help students. — Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVosED) February 18, 2017

.@JATrojans Great teachers deserve freedom and flexibility, not to constantly be on the receiving end of government dictates. — Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVosED) February 18, 2017

Ultimately, Jefferson Academy is moving forward with its mission to help students in the D.C. area. The school is using its time in the spotlight to share job listings and promote some teachers’ projects that need funding.

Our AMAZING teachers have projects that need funding. If you're in a giving spirit, they're in "receive mode." :) https://t.co/D5Ta7U6DuZ — Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 19, 2017