The Wright One

ISABELLE

We are all doing better now. The students were apparently suffering from our lack of communication just as much as we were. Ok, we were probably suffering a lot more. Anyway, both of our classes are doing much better now. We have grasped the material and there is no way they could have passed the test if we hadn’t pulled this together.

My morning class comes in and they are all smiles. Kyle gives me his morning greeting. While giving Luna a kiss too. “How are things going, Teach?”

I smile. “Fine Kyle. See you this afternoon.”

He smiles. “I know you got this babe.”

She smiles. “Thanks.” She blushes a little too. I’m not sure how things will be when class starts up again this fall, but they are going strong now. From what I have gathered from Luna, he has liked her for a long time. Now he has no intention of letting her go. Alex even said that Kyle didn’t date at all last year. It wasn’t from a lack of girls trying either. He apparently has only had eyes for Luna. It’s kind of cute actually.

I get the attention back on me. “Alright class. Today is the day. The Test. It will determine if you can pass this test and get the credits you need. So does anyone have to use the bathroom? Does everyone have a pencil? Because once I pass out these tests you are stuck here until you are done.”

Everyone nods. Apparently they are all ready to do this. “Just like we went over, there are fifty questions. Most are multiple choice, but the last three are essay questions. We are not asking a lot. Just a few sentences really. You guys are all ready for this. Don’t doubt. I know you can all pass this test.”

I start passing out the tests. I can feel the tension in the room. Yet as they started looking over the questions, the tension dissipated. They realized that they did know the answers. It was really nice to watch them with their tests. It was all things that we had discussed at length in class. I tried to keep it as relevant as possible. Find ways to make the information stick in their heads.

Once they turned in their tests I could see the confidence on their faces. I just made a pile on my desk. I was going to grade the first batch at lunch then the second batch at the end of the day. Still I was confident that they would pass.

I was antsy but trying to hold it together. When the last morning test was handed in, I bid the class good bye and waited for them all to leave.

I took a deep breath and started grading the tests. I’m not going to say they all got the answers perfect but there was nothing under seventy percent. That brought a smile to my face. For kids that didn’t get it when they came in this class that is great. It also speaks volumes about my ability to teach high school.

I am feeling pretty good about it. The feeling floats me through the next test and I am ready to grade them and celebrate my success. Only some asshole thinks that he doesn’t need to let me celebrate anything. The jerk Superintendent is at my door as soon as class is out.

“Ms. Wright. Good to see you. You can pass the tests over. It was nice having you for the summer. But the second grade is waiting for you.”

I stare at him open mouthed. “Wait, you don’t even want to see how I did? I mean did you ask any of the students? Check their grades? Anything?”

He just smiles. “This was never about giving you a job. This was about giving you the chance. That was your chance. Now you should stop while you’re ahead.”

“I’ll have you know that everyone passed my AM class. I don’t doubt that this class will do any differently. That should let you know that I know what I am doing. I am qualified for this job. Why are you still pushing me back down?”

“Ms. Wright. You had your chance. Just pass over the tests and clear out the class of any personal items. Turn in the key with me too.”

A voice ringing from the door catches our attention. “No, what are you doing? She is a good teacher.” It’s Luna. I kind of didn’t expect this from her. She has become more outspoken since she has been dating Kyle but nothing like this. Usually he is at her side when she does.

The superintendent groans. “That’s nice, little girl but I think I know what is best for this school. You haven’t even had a job before.”

“I did. For six months I had a job. It was the worst job on the face of the planet, but that has nothing to do with this. She is a good teacher and you are casting her aside for what reason?”

He shakes his head. “Just move along kid. This is grown up business.”

I try to hold in my tears. “It’s ok, Luna. He isn’t going to change his mind. You did great on your test. Passed with flying colors.”

She smiles, but it doesn’t last. “No, this is not the end.” She turns and leaves the room.

The superintendent shakes his head. “Hormones. They will be the death of every teen on the face of the planet.”

I scoff, “If that was true then you would be dead.”

I turn around, grabbing all the tests off my desk and passing them to him. “The ones on the bottom are already graded. The top ones still need to be graded.”

I didn’t really have much here, just a few things on my desk. The superintendent stares at me as I am packing up my desk. Like I am going to steal the desk or something. I am just about done putting my papers in my brief case when my classroom door bursts open again. Only this time it isn’t just Luna. It is all my students, AM and PM class. Then there is Mr. Saxon. They are all filing into the room.

I can’t hold back the tears this time. “What are you all doing here?”

Luna starts. “We are showing this jerk that you know what you are doing. You are a great teacher and every one of us will state it a hundred times if we have to. We will form a protest if that is what it takes to get him to listen. You deserve this job. Not some fake chance that wasn’t even real.”

Alex sits down on my desk. “I had my reservations at first too. But her methods are a little different but they work. She got these students talking about history like it was football. I don’t see a reason why she should be pushed back down to grade school when we need high school teachers.”

The superintendent grunts. “That doesn’t mean anything. The board has already decided that she will teach second grade this coming year.”

“Put someone else in that spot. Because I guarantee you are going to have a problem on your hands if you don’t do this.” Alex states as he motions to all the students in the room. Even a few other teachers that I have only just started meeting this summer.

I am sure he is going to brush them off, but the gesture is the best thing that I could have ever had happen in my life. But he tosses the tests on my desk. “Fine. I’ll tell the board we need a new second grade teacher. But I want these grades in the office and processed before the end of the day.” He looks pained to be saying it.

Everyone in the room starts cheering. I can’t stop crying. I can’t believe this just happened. I am getting my class. I will finally live my dream job. I will make a difference. But looking around this room I can see that I already have. I have made a difference and they want more. That is the best compliment I have ever gotten in my life.