Confessions of a teacher: Because school isn't quite what you remember it to be... by Jane Salomon Page B
Authors: Jane Salomon
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knows better than to argue with Karen. She turns back and walks towards the phone, trying to hide a smirk on her face at the thought that Karen might have been the one making that phone call. As for Karen, she calls the meeting to an end, underlying once again that the success of this year's exchange program rests on our shoulders. Whether at the beginning or the end of her career, Karen doesn't do glitches. She'll go to any length to ensure that her record is flawless. Mistakes? Faux pas? Failure? Not on her watch!
As I'm going back upstairs, I come face to face with a very chirpy Dora. Is there something I should know?
- You look very happy, Dora. Did something happen with Ross?
- Something did happen but not with Ross.
- That's great! Tell me more.
- Well, recently, I've joined a walking group to try something different and meet new people. I'd only been a couple of times and they had a dinner dance on Friday. I couldn't go because it was one of our planned eating evenings with Ross and all that.
- How did it go?
- The usual. Ross enjoying flirting but that's about it. I had my thigh right up against his legs which he never took away. Not the sign of a guy who's not interested if you ask me. Yet, by ten o'clock, everyone was embarking into taxis heading home. So I decided to join the dinner dance even if it was probably drawing to an end. I had noticed a guy at the walking group: tall, good-looking, I don't know... something about him made me tick inside but I never gave it much thought.
- You went out with him? That's fantastic Dora!
- Well, sot of. He was there and when he saw me, he headed straight in my direction. The party was finishing anyway and they were on the last dance of the evening. We left and went to one of these open all night coffee place and we talked for most of the night. He eventually drove me home and I'll see him again this weekend. Do you know something Jane? That's when it hit me that Ross is playing games. If a guy is really interested in you, you'll know straight away. There shouldn't be any of this 'is he?', 'is he not?' business lasting for over six months.
- Dora, I'm really happy for you. It was about time you found someone who is really into you. Do you... Do you think Ross might be gay?
Dora pauses for a while, a look of surprise on her face.
- I don't think so. He's mentioned a relationship with a girl once, a long time ago.
- Anyway, forget about him Dora. This new guy sounds much more likely to make you happy. I'm really glad for you.
- Oh, thanks.
We part company and I once again cannot cease to wonder at the difference between Dora the individual and Dora the teacher. She's certainly come a long way from running successful homes. At the time where she was most vulnerable, I've seen Dora being like a tormented soul while in the classroom she still managed to keep up the pretence of being the heart and soul of a Brazilian party made of dancing peppers, raving tomatoes and skipping mushrooms. Who said teaching and acting weren't the same? I have barely reached the base of the stairs that Dora calls me back.
- Jane, did you see the new memo from the boss?
- No. What does it say?
- The 33 hours week is back on the agenda. We're all to get a power point presentation from Stewart Williamson at our departmental meetings.
Sure enough, our next departmental meeting is graced with the presence of Stewart and his duly rehearsed power point presentation. The fears about the 33 hours week, he announces, are ill-founded. This will not mean that we will loose our jobs. I can't help but rise my eyes to the ceiling. I don't need to guesstimate on that one: adding one teaching period on everybody's timetable does mean that they can fit far more classes per teachers. Are they trying to tell us that this is not a cost saving exercise? Stewart continues and explain that the number of staff appointed to a school is entirely dependent upon the school roll so nothing will
As I'm going back upstairs, I come face to face with a very chirpy Dora. Is there something I should know?
- You look very happy, Dora. Did something happen with Ross?
- Something did happen but not with Ross.
- That's great! Tell me more.
- Well, recently, I've joined a walking group to try something different and meet new people. I'd only been a couple of times and they had a dinner dance on Friday. I couldn't go because it was one of our planned eating evenings with Ross and all that.
- How did it go?
- The usual. Ross enjoying flirting but that's about it. I had my thigh right up against his legs which he never took away. Not the sign of a guy who's not interested if you ask me. Yet, by ten o'clock, everyone was embarking into taxis heading home. So I decided to join the dinner dance even if it was probably drawing to an end. I had noticed a guy at the walking group: tall, good-looking, I don't know... something about him made me tick inside but I never gave it much thought.
- You went out with him? That's fantastic Dora!
- Well, sot of. He was there and when he saw me, he headed straight in my direction. The party was finishing anyway and they were on the last dance of the evening. We left and went to one of these open all night coffee place and we talked for most of the night. He eventually drove me home and I'll see him again this weekend. Do you know something Jane? That's when it hit me that Ross is playing games. If a guy is really interested in you, you'll know straight away. There shouldn't be any of this 'is he?', 'is he not?' business lasting for over six months.
- Dora, I'm really happy for you. It was about time you found someone who is really into you. Do you... Do you think Ross might be gay?
Dora pauses for a while, a look of surprise on her face.
- I don't think so. He's mentioned a relationship with a girl once, a long time ago.
- Anyway, forget about him Dora. This new guy sounds much more likely to make you happy. I'm really glad for you.
- Oh, thanks.
We part company and I once again cannot cease to wonder at the difference between Dora the individual and Dora the teacher. She's certainly come a long way from running successful homes. At the time where she was most vulnerable, I've seen Dora being like a tormented soul while in the classroom she still managed to keep up the pretence of being the heart and soul of a Brazilian party made of dancing peppers, raving tomatoes and skipping mushrooms. Who said teaching and acting weren't the same? I have barely reached the base of the stairs that Dora calls me back.
- Jane, did you see the new memo from the boss?
- No. What does it say?
- The 33 hours week is back on the agenda. We're all to get a power point presentation from Stewart Williamson at our departmental meetings.
Sure enough, our next departmental meeting is graced with the presence of Stewart and his duly rehearsed power point presentation. The fears about the 33 hours week, he announces, are ill-founded. This will not mean that we will loose our jobs. I can't help but rise my eyes to the ceiling. I don't need to guesstimate on that one: adding one teaching period on everybody's timetable does mean that they can fit far more classes per teachers. Are they trying to tell us that this is not a cost saving exercise? Stewart continues and explain that the number of staff appointed to a school is entirely dependent upon the school roll so nothing will
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