In some communities (e.g., the dati leumi community in Israel), there will be a wide range of beliefs regarding evolution among teachers, families, and students at a single school. Some may sincerely believe that the world was created 5776 years ago. Others may completely accept the scientific position on evolution. And yet others will fall somewhere in between.
It's essential for teachers at an Orthodox or community school to recognize that there are multiple legitimate, acceptable opinions within Judaism. One should certainly never accuse a child who believes that dinosaurs lived millions of years ago of kefirah (this actually happened to one of my children). Conversely, one should never scoff at a child who accepts the Torah's account of Creation as completely literal. Both those opinions, and those in between, are well grounded in text and are espoused by important, learned, and pious Orthodox rabbis.
Every teacher will have her personal beliefs on the matter, and will presumably be convinced that some of her students are terribly mistaken. She can certainly be open to questions, and answer in accordance with her beliefs (or the school's official policy, if there is one), or present possible reconciliations between Torah and science (such reconciliations are most definitely "theories" rather than "facts"). In this area, though, I think it is best not to actively proselytize.
For those who are unsure how a belief in an ancient universe and evolution can be "kosher," I recommend the excellent book Challenge of Creation by Rabbi Natan Slifkin.
Kol tuv,
Ilana Elzufon
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/2016 06:28AM by mlb.
