Engrossed in debate about the rightness
of Okonkwo's action toward Ikemefuna, Mr. Simmons remained bent by
Parker's side,
“Mr. Simmons,” repeated Principal
Damon, standing just within the door's threshold, unwilling to enter
unrecognized.
A stirring passed through the class, as
they shuffled awkwardly in circular pattern, orbiting their mentor.
In the small, persistent hum of ideas exhibited to the ear, Gideon
recollected his training. It was a gentle, gradual remembrance,
which swelled to the din of a crowded courtroom, so he altered
something in his tone just so, and marveled how his message of
warning traveled outward until it met the stained whiteboard at the
head of the classroom.
Though a neutral observer would
perceive no alternation in the atmosphere or activity, and the
students maintained their dialectic dance, yet the majority of their
attention was now fixed on two objects, Nathaniel and the Principal
at the door. In the continuing murmur of diligent academics, little
Hayes walked over to Nathaniel's side, and gently pulled at his
shirtsleeve. Smiling, Nathaniel turned from Parker to Hayes and
spoke as softly as a sincere kiss on the cheek, while Mr. Damon
failed to resist his reckless impulse to lean inward. His action
failed to bring him close enough to hear what passed between teacher
and student, and committed by his impatience, and irritated at the
continuing inattention paid to his person, he entered, and preceded
through the milling crowd of children toward Simmons.
As Principal Damon approached Nathaniel
he heard pupil speak to teacher,“Thank you, Nathaniel.” He
failed to observe the warmth which infused their symbiotic smiles.
“What did your student call you,
Simmons?” hissed Principal Damon in anguished exclamation, drawing
the transparent observance of nearby students. Nathaniel
clandestinely signaled them to continue their activity, and Anthony's
state prohibited his recognition.
“I believe,” replied Nathaniel, in
calm composure, which his community compared to this intrusive
interlocutor, “he called me by my name, Anthony.”
“By your given name?”
Nathaniel slowly nodded with assurance.
Well, Principal Damon thought to
himself, it wasn't as if I were coming to offer him good news. Of
course, if I'd witnessed some contrition, some true effort to
conform, this wouldn't be necessary. I've attempted everything I
could for this man. Might as well do it as gently as possible.
“Mr. Simmons,” Principal Damon
said, tinging his tone with a suggestion of sympathy, “Can you come
down to office right now. It looks,” and he looked around the
class and discovered himself about to describe the class as he'd
hoped it would be, but not as he thought, and yet the exhibit was one
and the same, “as if your students will continue well without your
immediate assistance. Though, of course I'll send someone to watch
over them until your return.”
“Of course,” replied Nathaniel, who
collected his worn jacket and beaten briefcase from behind his desk
without complaint. As walked to the door, held ajar by Anthony, he
observed a cluster composed of his community on target to intercept,
but he respectfully indicated his acquiescence to the Principal's
demand.
As he exited the room behind Anthony he
heard Mary plaintively call, “We'll never forget you,” which
caused the shape of face to fall, and he refused to remedy this
mistake, though he could have, when Anthony flinched at the cry.
Down the hall, Nathaniel walked with a
variety of persona's inhabiting the same corporeal form. Sometimes
it was Mr. Damon glancing into classrooms as they passed,
occasionally The Principal as they confronted a student he judged
wayward, and Anthony on the rare occurrence he spoke to Nathaniel,
though even then the attitude was mixture including a tincture of The
Principal. Their journey concluded in the Principal's office, and
there Nathaniel was glad for they'd left one of the three outside,
still roaming the hallways. They sat for a moment, of two distinct
minds, one anxious and uncertain but determined to control the
conversation, and the other composed and curious to see where it
would travel.
“The results of the recent tests have
arrived. I'm sure I don't need to remind you of the conversation we
had following last years results. So you see, and I know you didn't
say anything in your defense last time...”
“I had nothing to say,” Nathaniel
interjected politely.
“Well yes,” said a flustered and
resolute Anthony, “and unfortunately, that does not divert any
responsibility on your part. Your students performed quite poorly.”
“I suppose they did again.”
“Yes, and the behavior which you
appear to encourage in your class compounds the infractions.”
“Do you believe those young men and
women know nothing?”
Anthony opened a drawer in his desk,
drew forth a folder, and threw it down before Nathaniel. “That is
exactly what the papers in this file demonstrate. Your students
don't even recognize what they don't know.”
Without touching the folder, Nathaniel
replied, “Have them in here now and test them yourself.”
“What?”
“Test them yourself,” Nathaniel
repeated.
“I don't have to, the reports
conclusion is clear. But, out of curiosity, if I did, are you
claiming they'd be able to recognize verb tenses, and word order, and
how to use proper punctuation?”
Nathaniel smiled upward from where he
sat. “Goodness no, what would they need to know that for?”
“It's one of the standards in the
curriculum, Simmons, it's on the state test. It's related to the
school scores, the funding, the opinions of the parents, and
viability of the town's education policy.
“It's related to your job.”
Anthony circled around his desk until
he stood over Nathaniel. “That is beside the point. Standards
exist for a reason. They are to ensure that teachers act responsibly
in regards to their job. A teacher failing to teach the standards is
irresponsible.”
“What if acting responsibly creates
an unfavorable result?”
“If you...”
Nathaniel stood up, and said, “I
understand the difficulty issues from a more authoritative agency
then yourself. There is nothing I can truthfully say which would
satisfy you. Therefore I accept your jurisdiction and its
consequence even though I reject every other aspect of the
situation.”
Anthony couldn't find the words to
reply. He felt as if he was subject to a test where every answer was
obvious, and yet they were all wrong. As he watched helplessly,
Nathaniel recovered his belongings, and walked purposefully and unescorted to the
exit.
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