Teacher may not choose for students

If Brian Bown doesn't want to observe a moment of silence in his classroom, then why doesn't he just step into the hallway and talk to himself ("For this teacher, silence isn't golden," Oct. 13 Daily Herald.)

He doesn't have to pray, meditate or think about anything but what he is going to teach that day. All he has to do is be silent for a moment in time while others who choose to pray, meditate or reflect have the chance to do so.

When you refuse to follow a mandated moment of silence you are pitting teachers against students, not teachers against teachers. Yes, Mr. Bown, you do have the right to not pray during the moment of silence, but give your students who do choose to do so their rights also.

Kelly Helsper

Mundelein