Finally, I had landed the perfect job. Teaching high school. And not just teaching anything – teaching MATH – a subject that I enjoyed because of the pure simplicity of it. This was quite a turn around for me. Here I was in my mid-fifties making a career change – going from being a high-powered corporate manager to a teacher. Leaving behind the stress and aggravation of the business world – trading it in for a blackboard and chalk. Unfortunately, I also traded in the big salary but sometimes it's worth it. I had no idea how much it would be worth it until one day...
I was lucky enough to teach at a private school; one where the per capita income of just one of my students' parents could have supported a third world nation for a year. The kids were the brightest of the bright – the school consistently won academic achievement awards and there were times when their brainpower tested and perhaps surpassed mine. These young adults were preparing for a future that included attending ivy league universities, becoming tomorrow's doctors, lawyers, corporate executives and scientists. It was a challenge for me just to keep them stimulated and interested in the material I was presenting and fortunately discipline problems were few and far between.
The school year was going along pretty well. In my final class period there was one girl that gave me trouble from day one – a tall, stunning, eighteen year old senior with dark hair, green eyes and long, shapely, athletic legs that her short skirts did nothing to hide. She didn't mind showing off her firm breasts in tight belly baring tops making it pretty obvious that she never wore a bra. Her grades consistently bordered on failing and her attitude was pretty much bordering on failing also. I had talked with her on several occasions and had even spoken with her parents about her grades and attitude. They seemed to find my concern bothersome and I felt they really were more interested in their trips to Europe and social gatherings than their daughter's future.
Finally, after an especially exasperating day I asked Michelle to remain after class. She rolled her eyes but acquiesced. Once class emptied out I sat on my desk with her standing in front on me. I was pretty tall, well over six feet, so sitting put me eye to eye with her. "Michelle," I began. "Don't you want to pass this class and graduate this year?"
She began twisting her long dark hair around her finger. "I guess so," she pouted.
"Then please tell me," I continued, "Why don't you even try in class? Or, if you are not going to try why not just sit quietly in the back of the room so the others that might want to learn can?"
I had never really noticed until now how emerald green her eyes were. She looked straight at me and replied: "Why should I? Who cares anyway? It's not like I need an education. I'm going right into my dad's business. And he can buy and sell teachers like you any time."
"I'm sure plenty of people care." I said, taking a deep breath and trying not to let her remark get to me. "I know I do. I don't want you to waste your time here. You'd be surprised at the many ways you'll need an education in the business world, even if you are the boss's daughter."
"Oh please, you're boring me," she said and turned to walk away.
"I don't think I excused you." I said.
