If true, the teacher demonstrated poor judgment at the very least, and at worst abused her position of authority over children to threaten and intimidate them. She crossed a professional line if she went beyond expressing her beliefs and/or asking the students to volunteer their beliefs. Pressuring them to feel compelled to answer in a way to satisfy the teacher out of fear of retaliation is teaching little more than submission to people in power.
The key words being "if true". Seeing a link to something called "EAGNews" for me sends up an immediate red flag. Checking around for a genuine news source provided
this from a local TV station, suggesting an exercise in thinking skills got somewhat embellished here.
"Yesterday, October 26, at the end of the school day, two West Memorial Junior High parents contacted the school's principal to share their concern over a classroom activity that they felt questioned students' religious beliefs. The school principal immediately responded to the parents by informing them that she would investigate and meet with the teacher the following morning. At the conclusion of the investigation today, the principal determined that the classroom activity included an item that was unnecessary for achieving the instructional standard. The activity, which was intended to encourage critical thinking skills and dialogue by engaging students in an exercise wherein they identified statements as fact, opinion, or common assertion was not intended to question or challenge any student's religious beliefs as reported by some media outlets.
The teacher is distraught by this incident, as some commentary has gone as far as to vilify her without knowing her, her Christian faith, or the context of the classroom activity. Still, this does not excuse the fact that this ungraded activity was ill-conceived and because of that, its intent had been misconstrued. As a result, the activity will no longer be used by the school, and appropriate personnel action will be taken. The school regrets any misconceptions that may have resulted from this teacher-developed classroom activity and assures its school community that the religious beliefs of all students and staff are welcomed and valued at Memorial Junior High."
Methinks someone around this is playing loosely with facts.