Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby by Leanne Dyck (Ch 12)

 chapter eleven: Aster's parent-teacher conference turned into a confrontation between teacher and parent. Who's responsible for providing the extra support students like Devin need--teachers or parents or the school or...?

photo by ldyck

Chapter twelve

Lately, in hushed voices, when they thought he wasn't listening, Devin's parents spoke about someone named Aster. By listening closely, Devin broke the code--Aster was Aster Stevens was Mrs. Stevens was his teacher. He didn't like what he heard--he didn't like his dad's heavy voice or the sadness in his mom's--and so when Aster said,  “Devin, please continue reading.” Devin's creative dyslexic brain played with the name. Aster. Aster? As... "Nah, I don't think so, Assburn."

The classroom fell silent. No one dared move, or breathe.

“My name is Mrs. Stevens, young man.”

“Assburn. Assburn. Assburn,” Devin chanted.

Aster sent Devin a glance as warm as ice. “Class, please place your heads on your desks.”

A sea of heads lowered like a wave onto their desks. Every head lowered but Devin’s. 

“You all look like a bunch of robot dorks,” he told them.

First, the boys raised their heads. Then much more slowly the girls’ backs straightened until they sat bolt-upright in their chairs. Elizabeth Joy was the only pupil whose head remained on her desk.

“Devin, do as you’ve been told.”

“Shut up, Assburn. I’m no dork.”

Other boys picked up the chant. “Assburn. Assburn. Assburn.”

Elizabeth Joy straightened her back, raised her head, and snickered.

Aster flew down the aisle to where Devin sat defiantly, teetering back in his chair. “I said put your head on your desk.” She grabbed his head and slammed it onto his desk. The sound of bone connecting with steel echoed down the hall.

***

The office door was open a crack. Aster leaned into the gap and squeaked, “You wished to see me, Principal Fraser.”

“Come in and close the door.” Crisp words. With a wave of his hand, he directed her to take a seat.

Most of what was said was a blur to Aster but she did hear him say, “I had great respect for you as a teacher but...” and “immediate suspension” and “termination”.

photo by ldyck

Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby

Chapter thirteen

Aster's toxic relationship with Devin continued until Aster lost control of her classroom and herself and--and now she must deal with the aftermath.

The following was inspired by my friend artist Terrill Welch's Facebook post...

'selfie' March 20, 2023

sorry about the poor quality of this image

Me

Age: 60

I don't dye my hair or use makeup or wash my face with soap--I use skin creams. 

A poem to increase self-acceptance...

Regardless of what you wear or the colour and length of your hair,

Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby by Leanne Dyck (Ch 11)

 Chapter ten: Unlike Bunny, Aster maintains a well-organized classroom. A classroom in which many students--such as Elizabeth Joy--thrive. But what should she do with students who refuse to learn, what should she do with Devin?

photo by ldyck

Chapter eleven

With the use of a fridge magnet, Aster posted her note. 

Kenneth James,

I have a parent-teacher conference. Your supper is in the fridge.

Aster

***

Those who had arrived early gathered around Aster eager to benefit from her years of experience. One topic of discussion homework led to others assignments which led to others bedtime routines and...

“Kayla won’t eat anything green.”

and...

“All Andrew wants is junk food.”

Aster advised, “You need to set a good example for your children.” and “Serve them a well-balanced diet.” and “The expectation must be that they eat everything on their plate.”

They just stood there staring at her and then they erupted with, “Really? It’s that easy, eh? Well... How many children do you have?”

She longed to tell someone that she had presumed that—. No, surely it was more than that. There was an unspoken promise that they would have children—yes, more than one—someday. Someday... Someday... Someday... It took her too many days, weeks, months, years to realize that someday would always be a day away. She wanted to tell someone but she knew someone couldn’t be any of the parents that surrounded her.

They continued to stare. They continued to wait for an answer. 

What could she say? She felt cornered. Her palms began to sweat. “No, I don’t have—. I’m not a—.” She gulped. “I have your children.” Her back straightened. “I am. Their. Teacher.”

“But?” and “What?” and “How?” and “Why?” Their questions exploded around her.

She looked for some means of escape and found—. “Well, Mrs. Morris, you came. I was concerned that you wouldn’t bother.”

“Wouldn’t bother. Why...wouldn’t...I—?”

“I’m glad you failed to find an excuse.”

Wendy Morris hurried away from Aster as fast as she could, as far as she could. But she didn't leave the classroom--she was determined to stay.

Other parents filed past Aster and she gave each a slight nod. When she judged it was time, she addressed her classroom of parents. “Welcome, please take a seat and we’ll begin.”

The group of mainly mothers surveyed the room and finding no other chairs, they were forced to squeeze into their children’s desks.

“I’m looking forward to a productive evening. I view us as team players in the education of the children—my students. We’ll discuss their progress.” Aster printed ‘success’ on one half of the board. “Some of you have gifted your children with keen eyes and a quick brain.” She beamed at Victoria Hall. “We’ll discuss the less fortunate ones.” She printed ‘failure’ on the other half of the board. She adjusted her glasses and looked down her nose at Wendy Morris. “Others of you unfortunately are lacking in natural inheritance and don’t have the time or the ability. Or perhaps you simply don’t care enough to give your children the necessary tools. And so, it falls on us—all of us—to develop strategies to compensate for what you failed to bestow upon them.” Eyes followed her down the aisle to the desk Wendy Morris occupied. “Mrs. Morris, why don’t you begin. Tell us about Devin’s academic struggles. Explain why you think he doesn’t try. Offer suggestions for how we may begin to help him. That is if you have any idea. We know these are difficult questions for you to answer and will assist when necessary. We are waiting. Please begin.”

There was a pregnant pause as Wendy slowly exhaled. “My son Devin is smart, he can learn and he does try. He’s the captain of his hockey t—.”

“Skating? Skating isn’t equivalent to academic success, Mrs. Morris.”

Wendy’s face was void of emotion, her voice controlled. “Mrs. Stevens, I won’t deny that Devin has challenges—as we all do. And I’ll be happy to discuss how best to help him address these challenges.” She wiggled out of the desk. “Privately.” She stood and faced the teacher. “You have my contact information.” Head held high, shoulders back, Wendy strode up the aisle—forcing Aster back. “Phone to set up an appointment.” That said, she left the classroom.

Aster took a few sips of water from her ‘World’s Best Teacher’ mug. “Now do you see what I’m up against? There’s just no helping some people.”

photo by ldyck

Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby

Chapter twelve

photo by ldyck

I celebrated St. Patrick's Day by taking my first ferry trip in about two years. I was