Ava's Big School Change

Chapter 7

The next morning, I slept in and kept my phone off.  I didn't want the school calling me to ask where was I and why I wasn't at my assignment.  I felt glad that I chose to have a free day to myself.

"So glad I did this," I said to myself.  "No more nightmares."

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

"Come in," I said.

The door opened.  It was my mom.  She was surprised to see that I haven't gone to work.  "Ava!  why are you still in bed?  Why aren't you at work?"

"I'm taking the day off."

"Did you notify the school?" my mom asked. 

I just shook my head no.

My mom gasped.  "Are you crazy??  You can't just drop your responsibilities and run away!  That school's possibly wondering where you are right now!"

"Well, I'm NOT dealing with those dunder-brained kids," I growled, covering myself with the covers, "and I'm definitely ill of it."

My mom sat down next to me.  "But you can't just run away from your job, Ava.  It's important to do your job and be reliable for your actions."

"Maybe to YOU, Mom," I said, still under my covers. 

"Ava," my mom said with a sigh, "you can't let those kids get to you.  They come from poor backgrounds.  You know that, don't you?"

I popped my head out of the covers.

My mom patted my shoulder.  "I understand how you feel.  Those kids will get under your skin...but you've gotta stay strong."

"But it's just too hard for me to handle," I complained.  "They'll just keep acting up for no idiotic reason whatsoever."

"Yes, I know, dear," my mom said.  "The kids you deal with have behavioral problems.  They aren't disciplined at home.  And again, they don't have the support they need from their parents.  You have a very demanding but important job, and that's how it is."

"I don't know if I want to keep doing this," I said. 

"Well," said my mom, "if you want to keep your job, you're going to have to put on a fake smile and be tough with your students, whether you like it or not.  It won't be easy, but you'll need to.  And the choice is yours to make."  She stood up and left my room.

I still stayed home for the rest of the day, but I thought about what my mom said.  I didn't want to go back to Giantside High to deal with another day of harm.  However, if I wanted to keep my career, I had to pretend everything was fine and be firm with my students. 

Then I made my choice for tomorrow: I was going back to Giantside High School.

I returned to the school the following morning.

When I entered the front office, some of the staff members were wondering where I was yesterday...especially Mrs. Gabber.

"Ava O'Cyan!  Where have you been yesterday?" she demanded. 

I let out a heavy sigh and got my words out: "I took the day off yesterday because my students were getting to me.  I'm really sorry, Mrs. Gabber."

"Ms. O'Cyan, I will NOT accept running away from an assignment," Mrs. Gabber said clearly.  "When you run away from your assignment, you are showing that you are not ready to help your students.  I'll let that go, but if you do it again, Ms. O'Cyan, you will be fired.  Do I make myself understood?"

"Yes, Mrs. Gabber," I answered.

"Good," said Mrs. Gabber.  "You should get to your classroom now.  And make sure you take command, Ms. O'Cyan."  She handed me my room key, and I was on my way.

I really needed to stay positive this time.  There was no way that I was going to let my students get under my skin.  And the only way was to be firm and set rules in my classroom.

When my students came in, I told them what I expected from them.

At first, some of the teens tried to act out, but I waited for them see if they got what was reminded.  When that didn't work, I called the office to have them removed.

Mrs. Gabber came in to see who was giving me a hard time, and she escorted those students out right away.  Then I was able to get through my lessons with less distractions.  I guessed my rules did get the students into shape.

"You did a great job today, Ms. O'Cyan!" Mrs. Gabber said as I was returning my key to the office.  "Let's keep it up tomorrow."

"Will do," I said, and I gladly headed home.