Teacher to cease wearing proselytizing T-shirts (September 2023)

FFRF has worked to ensure that teachers in the Willard Public Schools in Montana will no longer spread religious messages through their wardrobe.

A concerned district community member reported that a teacher at Willard Intermediate School wore a shirt with the religious message ā€œLove Like Jesusā€ written on it at school during the day while acting in her official capacity. The faculty member posted a photo wearing the shirt that day on social media, and the classroom can be seen in the background.

ā€œStudents have the First Amendment right to be free from religious indoctrination in their public schools,ā€ FFRF Legal Fellow Sammi Lawrence wrote to Superintendent Eric Wilken.

FFRF received an emailed response from school legal representative Emily A. Omohundro, writing, ā€œThe district has taken steps to remind district staff of the districtā€™s policies, including the requirement that they refrain from wearing attire that interferes with the educational environment and avoid the promotion of sectarian religious views at school.ā€

Freedom From Religion Foundation