Who I Once Was (Book Three in the 'Small Town Girl' Series)

Chapter Fourteen: What!?

It was my last day in New York as far as the reunion was concerned and I didn't tell anybody that I was interviewing at the school. I figured if I didn't get the job, it would be better for them not to know so they wouldn't be disappointed, and if they did...it'd be a nice surprise.

I told Dad that I was going to get lunch with an old friend he didn't know and then headed to Abigail Adams in my most professional outfit. Once I got there, I told the secretary that I had an appointment, and she got up and lightly knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Principal Newman's voice called. She opened the door.

"Skipper Jackson is here to see you?"

"Yes, send her in!' I smiled thankfully, making my way into the office and shutting the door behind me. He stood up, buttoning his suit jacket.

"Ms. Jackson, pleasure to finally meet you." I shook his hand, sitting down across from him.

"Yes, you too, I'm happy to be here. Here's my resume." I handed it to him as he sat down again and his eyes skimmed over it.

"So you've never officially taught before?" He asked. I shook my head.

"Not officially, but I did student teach while I was getting my certification and I assisted with some after school tutoring programs on the side when I was in California."

"I see here you went to Stanford?" I nodded. "That's a good school. Good education program."

"Yes sir. I learned a lot in my time there."

"Why did you decide to become a teacher?" He questioned, leaning back in his chair.

"Well...I guess you could say the answer to that question began in 1993." He furrowed his eyebrows. "In 1993, there was a boy in middle school who had an incredible teacher. He was a teacher who pushed the students, cared about them, and he didn't just care about test scores and results, he cared about...teaching his students how to excel in the world. How to be good people and believe in themselves. That boy was so inspired by the work his teacher did, that he decided to become a teacher himself. A history teacher, to be specific." He nodded, soon catching on. "Mr. Matthews became a teacher because his teacher inspired him. And Mr. Matthews inspired me, to not just be a teacher but to be an educator. He inspired me to teach kids the information they need to succeed, even if that isn't limited to the material on the lesson plan. And other than that, before she died, my mother was a strong believer in teaching through living, and expanding people's minds by inspiring them with your way of life." He nodded. 

"Ok. So now my question for you is, how would you cultivate positive relationships with your students and...create a sense of class community?"

"Well in all honesty Mr. Newman it...its kind of the same answer," I stated, "By showing interest in their lives. By letting my kids know that I care about them and what happens to them, and that's why I'm trying to teach them, because I want them to enter the real world knowing the things they need to know. And I'm not just pretending to care about the lives of these kids, I do because as someone who went through some pretty difficult things in my middle school and high school years, I know how important it is to have someone you can trust, and someone who genuinely cares about you." He nodded.

"Ms. Jackson I...I'm gonna stop you now. I think I've heard all I needed to hear." I furrowed my eyebrows.

"But don't you want to know...I don't know, how I would implement classroom policies or...how I would deal with defiance in the classroom?"

"I would like to know those things, yes," He said, "But I think I would rather see them in action." I nodded, waiting for him to explain. "Skipper...I can call you Skipper, right?"

"Yes, of course."

"Skipper, I haven't had a single applicant for this job," He said, "We're desperate for an English teacher, I'm not going to deny that, but...But you, in only two questions have given me unique and well thought out answers, as well as a vision of your teaching style. That, combined with your immaculate reputation by both your teachers and your peers..." I cringed in a silent question, "Yes, many of your high school friends wandered over to me during the reunion to talk you up." I pinched the bridge of my nose, smiling to myself, "I'm prepared to offer you this position on the spot." I raised my eyebrows.

"What?" I asked. He nodded. "Just like that...two interview questions and you're gonna hire me, just like that?" He nodded.

"I know its unrealistic and...potentially irresponsible, but I also have a feeling that If I hired anyone else, Mr. Matthews would not let me hear the end of it." I laughed. "But I have to warn you, we're in a pretty sticky situation here. Our current English teacher, due to health issues is being forced to retire at semester, and we would need you to start as soon as Christmas Break is over, which would give you roughly five and a half weeks to prepare. That's part of the reason its been so difficult to spark interest in the position. Is that something that you feel you could handle?" I thought about this for a moment.

Five weeks to prepare for my first job with no teaching experience at all is a lot of pressure...but after all the crap I've dealt with the past five years, it almost seems like welcome pressure.

"I'll make you a deal," He said, "Just give a trial run, the rest of the semester, and then if you decide this job is too stressful, if its an overtly negative experience, I'll talk to the board and see about getting you severance for the entire year." I nodded.

"Ok."

"Ok?" He asked. I nodded again, a smile forming on my face.

"Ok! I'll do it!" He smiled, and we both stood up shaking hands.

"Wonderful! I'll show you to your classroom, set you up with Mrs. Geyser, I'm sure she'd be more than willing to help you get up to speed with the curriculum for the rest of the year." I nodded, following after him.  I smiled at the familiar sight of the hallways, and stopped in front of room 104, which is the very room where I had my English class when I was in high school. "Wait here." He knocked on the door, opening it. "Mrs. Geyser? Can I borrow you for a moment?"

I heard some voices inside of the classroom and then a tiny elderly woman made her way out of the classroom.

"Oh! Have you found someone to do it?!" She exclaimed happily.

"Yes ma'am. Mrs. Geyser, this is Skipper Jackson, Skipper-"

"Skipper Jackson!?" She exclaimed, turning her attention to me. "Are you the same Skipper Jackson who's essays I've been using in my class?!"

"Yes, I heard about that! I am, yes."

"Your essays are wonderful. Not only are they perfect when it comes to the format, they're entertaining to read. Even the kids who hate English were on the edge of their seats when I read them your research paper on the History of Texas." I smiled.

"Well thank you, I appreciate that. I hope I can do the class justice."

"Oh you'll be fine! If Mr. Matthews is to be believed, you were teaching children back when you were a child."

"I'm gonna have to have a talk with that man."

"Right, well I have to get back to my office, so I'm gonna leave you two to chat." Mr. Newman said. "Thank you, Skipper."

"Thank you, sir." He walked away and I turned my attention back to Mrs. Geyser.

"I have to be getting back to class, but if you would like, I would love to meet with you after school and discuss the curriculum and what to expect for the remainder of the year." I nodded.

"Topanga's coffee shop?" I suggested.

"Perfect. I will meet you there." I smiled, making my way out of the school. Once I got outside, I put my hands on my head in shock.

I went in on a whim and I came out with a job...

What!?