Page 75 of Here and Now
“I heard that, but what the hell made you think I wanted to do twelve of these with Belinda on vacation?”
My assistant principal actually got to take her vacation. I’m stuck here thanks to Doug being unathletic. I originally was going to wait for her before doing these interviews, but that scares me even more. I need to hire a teacher before it’s too late.
“I know you don’t want to, but it’s your job.” She pats my arm. “Eat your doughnut. I have a dozen at my desk.”
“Oh, no, you’re in here with me.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I have work to do.”
“Yes, and you have to do this.”
“Would you rather I work on the student schedules or be in here taking notes?” Lois asks.
“Both.”
The look on her face tells me she thinks I’m a total dumbass. Which is fine because I am not doing these today—alone. I need her to see the things I miss.
“Fine.” She takes the plate with the doughnut. “But you don’t get this anymore.”
I would pout, but she’s got more at her desk, and surely I’ll need to use the bathroom.
The first interview went well. And when I saywell, I mean it wasn’t a total train wreck. The teacher at least had a certification and was well spoken. There was just something about her that didn’t sit right.
“She wasn’t bad,” Lois says.
“I didn’t like that she kept talking about her former district.”
She nods. “Yes, that was a little uncomfortable. However, she seems like she wants the job.”
“And that scares me that she doesn’t already have a job.”
Lois shrugs and hands me the next résumé. “This one seems promising.”
I look it over and, yes, on paper it definitely does. She taught at another district that I’m familiar with. She has all the right certifications and even was the cochair on a curriculum board. That could be helpful.
“Let’s bring her in.”
Lois gets the applicant, bringing her into my office.
We sit and go over the normal questions about her education and what she’s looking for in a new school.
Stephanie crosses and uncrosses her legs. “Honestly? I’m looking for a place that values what I bring to the table.”
Not an unreasonable request. Most people want to work where they’re appreciated. “And how did you feel your last school wasn’t doing that?”
“They didn’t allow me to bring my dog.”
I blink and then meet Lois’s eyes. “Your dog?”
“Yes, all day long I’m gone and Gianna is home alone. I think it’s fair that once I prove myself to be a capable and respected teacher, certain allowances should be made. Dogs are allowed in certain places.”
Oh boy. “They are. Is Gianna a working dog?”
“She is.”
I swear, if I could breathe an audible sigh of relief I would. “Well, if she’s a service dog, then that has to be allowed by law.”
“She’s not my service dog. She works for food, love, attention. All dogs are working dogs, Mr. Anderson.”
