Martha

Chapter 2 First Day at School

Chapter 2
First Day at School

"Good morning Mr. Grau", shaking hands effusively, the principal guided me through the halls crowded with students. It was more a polite gesture, perhaps an accustomed welcoming gesture for each new teacher's first day.  "As if dealing with thousand students wasn't enough, right?" The man shrugged as he played with his tie, half a way smiling with a mix of sympathy and resignation while we meandered amid the group of teenagers staring at the director with respect and at me with curiosity. "Is it different from here in Puerto Rico?" He asked.

"Well, not much. School infrastructure is a bit different, architecturally speaking. Curriculum, of course is pertinent to our own culture and history, yet based on the same standards and expectations and federal laws, as were ruled the same way." I explained.

"History isn't one of the student's favorite subject anymore, but I know you will work around it with enthusiasm. Teenagers get well along with younger teachers and having you running the Spanish extra course and the swimming team would serve both as an incentive and as a role model."

"I hope so, Dr. Shubber. I'll work my best. You won't be disappointed and we will be state swimming champions this year, I'll assure you."

"Go Jaguars!" He raised his fist up cheerfully.

"Go Jaguars!" I mimicked his move while thinking Jaguars wasn't a very aquatics sports-like team name.

Padding me on the shoulder, Mr. Shubber wished me luck as if was Doom's Day for me. His mouth twitched, half a smile while beaming at me with a clashing mixture of pity and fatherly pride. The man rubbed the crown of his head, then squared his shoulders and walked away telling the alumni the bell was about to ring.

As I stepped into the classroom, I placed my suitcase on the desk and proceeded to open the windows. A few seconds before the bell rang I took a deep breath staring with complacency what would be by new classroom.

When the doorbell rang at 8:00 a.m. the students packed the classroom, females seating on the first rows, something I've been used to since I first started teaching high school five years ago. Of course, it wasn't  because history actually fascinates them, still a normal reaction on having a twenty-six years old teacher speaking of past times in a crooked latino accent. Good looks often blanketed brains, and yes, it only made harder to deal with teenagers, yet they soon would find out who's charge.

"Good morning students. I am Professor Grau. From now on I'll be your American History teacher, in succession to Mr. Garcés, who's granted a well-deserved retirement. I will also run a Spanish section, so for those who are interested in learning a second language, you can separate your space at the director's office today. Last but not least, I will be the swimming team's coach, so if you are interested, the first meeting is tomorrow at the natatorium at 4:00 p.m."

Boys seemed to be interested in the swimming team while for the girls I wasn't sure anymore as they only nodded to everything I said, their eyes fanning fixated at me. Class control, that's what I meant!

After finishing the initial routine of greeting each other, I continued with the class. Redundant is to add the girls' wooing gestures when they introduced themselves.... Oh, God, those females! I shall never go over it.

"Now I want you to think of historical places that represent or resemble the true essence of this city, important events, and illustrious people. You name them and we will make a focalized list on the board."

The whole group looked at each other as if sending some sort of telepathic message. There was so much complicity in their demeanor, I knew I had to be prepared for a cognitive disaster mixed up with a teenager's proper creepy attitude.