Teachers didn't use freedom of speech

Heim Middle School received national attention recently when a group of its students won a video contest sponsored by C-Span television. The topic of their video, broadcast nationally on Channel 9, was the controversy surrounding creative design, the alternative view to evolution.

The students started out not knowing much about the topic but succeeded in learning about this complex issue by interviewing ministers and their teachers. They also included C-Span film clips of opinion-makers as required by the contest rules.

As a former teacher, I was proud to see these local kids do so well. They were articulate in answering questions about their project on TV.

The show host even showed a map indicating where Williamsville is located to inform the national audience.

My only complaints are that the Heim School teachers asked about their view on creative design would not answer. Were they afraid of the Board of Education or an administrator's condemnation? What happened to freedom of speech, a concept taught in history/social studies departments?

Pauline Dyson

Cayuga Road Williamsville