Taking Chances

Chapter 44

            On Monday morning, Ryan arrived at work with a two-day beard and a hangover. He told himself it wasn't too bad, since he had left one six-pack un-opened out of the carton, and was determined not to buy another. Yet, as he slipped through the school, Ryan avoided eye-contact with those he passed.

When he got to his desk, he checked his e-mail. There was a message from Janice asking him to see her period one this morning. Lewis would cover his classes for him. Lewis bloody Jones.

"Hey Ry!" It was Lewis. "I got your class this morning. What do you want me to do?" Ryan grimaced. If he was honest with himself, his plan was to be flexible and responsive to student needs. In other words: wing it.

Composing himself, Ryan swivelled in his chair and looked up into Lewis's face. "Exam essay practice. I'll write down the questions for you."

Pulling out a scrap piece of paper, Ryan scribbled down five exam style questions for the students to choose from. He gave the scrap of paper to Lewis, who said, "Thanks man. Oh, and again, really looking forward to working with you next year. It's going to be awesome." Ryan inhaled sharply through his nose. What was it with this guy? He couldn't be this clueless, surely? Everyone is entitled to a safe workplace. Lewis included. Ryan said that he too was looking forward to next year, then went to Janice's office.

"Hi Ryan. Come in."

Janice held her door open for Ryan. The room was tidy and Ryan appreciated a clean workspace. Tidy space, tidy thinking was Ryan's motto. He tried not to think of the mess of beer cans and pizza boxes at home.

Janice gestured to a chair opposite her desk. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you this earlier." She began.

What was this? Was he losing his job, too?

"I had to leave suddenly on Wednesday. Family matter. I didn't get to tell you the news and I didn't want to do it over e-mail These things are best done face-to-face, I find."

Ryan nodded his sympathy, but he was perplexed. What was the damn news?

"Ryan, I want to offer you the Curriculum Coordinator position. I know it's a tough job and you'll still have some teaching duties, but I've arranged the timetable so you'll have at least one period a week for meeting with the other heads of department." Ryan was speechless. He did get a promotion. A step above head of department. Well, up a bit and sideways a bit, but it was still a step in the right direction.

Janice was waiting for Ryan to speak. When he didn't, she said, "You don't have to say yes. A lot of good teachers are good teachers because they love the classroom. And you are a good teacher. I would say, though that this is an opportunity to have an impact beyond your classroom. A lot of the staff look up to you."

Ryan cleared his throat and replied, "I wasn't expecting this. It's a bit of a surprise." He felt acutely uncomfortable. What an idiot he had been to let his world collapse. He wanted to say 'yes.' He knew this was a good proposition, but something held him back. He said, "Can I think about it? I want to talk with my family."

"Certainly. Shall we say Thursday?"

Ryan agreed. He stood and shook hands with Janice. She showed him out of her office, holding the door for him once again. He went directly to his classroom. Through the glass slit in the door, he could see Lewis in front of the class. He was animated and the students were paying attention.

So, Lewis wasn't a jerk after all. He had just known that Ryan would be Curriculum Director. Ryan had been wrong all along. He took a deep breath and stepped into the classroom.