A/N Several people comment in the review about Izzy shutting Mrs. Grandy in the store cupboard. I must confess my son AJ who has Asperger's he's now 28 years old. We put him in mainstream school; his teacher constantly bullied him. When she entered a cupboard, he shut the door, locked it, and went out to recess. The headteacher (Principle) went around the class asking if anyone knew anything about it. I've brought my kids up to own up if they do something. He put his hand up and said it was him. He did it because she was a bully. AJ was suspended from school for 5 days for telling lies about a grown-up and for his silly actions. That's when he became home-schooled.
~T&I~
Chapter 3
Narrated by Shelly Cope.
When April Biers moved from Seattle to Forks after a scandal with her now ex-husband, she hoped no one here would ever find out about his relationship with one of his students, which resulted in him being imprisoned for five years.
April was grateful for the job that had come up in Forks to start a new chapter in her life. April was told nothing happens here. Her only son Riley and his girlfriend Tanya Denali had come with her.
Riley had managed to get a teaching position at the High school as the game teacher and coach of the football team.
Tanya had applied for a job at the elementary school in which April was the new Principal. However, she was an unsuccessful candidate.
Tanya went on to apply at a private nursery, as a play nurse at the hospital. Also, as a support teacher at the school. All of which she was overqualified for.
Riley was convinced she never got the position because of the extensive scars on her face after she was in a house fire as a child.
Although Tanya graduated at the top of her class, she wouldn't let Riley pay her share of the bills. She took a job in the kitchen at the local diner.
April had settled into her new job. Everything seemed to run smoothly until she had a visit from the chief of police, Charlie Swan. April ran cold when she heard what he had told her about Charlotte Gerandy singling both his daughter, Isabella, and the town's well-respected doctor's and vet's son, Edward Cullen. She put a stop to that the same afternoon after school. It would be something she would continue to monitor.
Within two weeks of speaking to Charlotte about her, behavior Aprilhad a visit from the Chief and both Doctor Cullen's as well as a high school student named Alice Brandon.
April was shocked at what they told her.
Alice told April that Charlotte Gerandy had bullied her for the whole year she was in kindergarten. Then Charlie went on to tell her what Izzy had told him. The Cullen's also repeated what Teddy had told them.
In all her years as an educator, she had never heard of a teacher bullying a small child.
But to do nothing when she knew that children were bullied was unacceptable. How many more children that had passed through Charlotte's care had she done the same too?
She promised that she would give it her utmost attention.
April did the only thing she could think of, and put a call through to the school board. They had had a problem like this at a middle school some years ago. The child that was bullied took his own life. They wanted it stopped before it got out of hand or that tragedy happened again.
Within hours, Charlotte Gerandy was suspended while a full inquiry took place.
Charlotte was shocked at the accusations and threatened that she would get legal representation.
Before school started on Monday morning, Mr. Gerandy came into school with a doctor's note saying she has been suffering from stress and was not fit to work. It was suggested that she retire early.
The school board saw this as an answer to the problem and let her retire effective immediately. They even let her have her full pension.
April was sure the substitute teacher would do an excellent job in the short term. She wanted a permanent member of staff. The school board agreed, and April was told to interview candidates.
April was given the resumes of possible teachers who had applied for the second-grade teacher position. It was already several weeks into the school term, and many of the applicants had already found employment.
Tanya had applied, and her resume was among the ones that April was given. Although she wanted to teach older children, she snapped up the job as soon as she was offered it.
Now Tanya had the weekend to try and get a teaching plan together as well as her classroom. For help, she turned to her boyfriend, Riley.
~T&I~
"Riley, there is no way I'm going to get this classroom-ready for Monday," Tanya sighed.
"For a kindergarten classroom, it's a little bit drab. There isn't anything to gain a child's attention. I can get help. Do you know what you want to do in here?" Riley asked.
"I know how I imagine my classroom to look. But there is no way we can do it in just one weekend. Mom said that Mrs. Gerandy had spent the budget for her classroom. I can't see what she spent it on," Tanya replied.
As they both walk around the classroom, they were shocked.
"I tell you what; start making a list of things you want to do. I'll go and get the help. Mom will be here in five minutes. We will soon have this room how you want it; the kids won't recognize the place on Monday," Riley replied.
Sighing, Tanya sat on a chair and looked around the classroom. She looked at the artwork on the walls. Tanya looked around wondering where the paint and easels were kept. There wasn't a book anywhere in sight.
"Hey honey, you should have waited for me. We could have all ridden in together," April said.
"Riley wanted to see how bad this was. Mom, this room is so cold. There's nothing to excite the kids or give them tools to learn," Tanya replied.
"I know a few parents have voiced their concerns about that," April added.
"Haven't you noticed that she didn't have an art corner? There doesn't seem to be any paint or crayons anywhere. I haven't seen one book. How are they learning to read?" Tanya asked.
"Everything is in the store cupboard, she said having it in the classroom made the room untidy," April answered.
"I'm a little disappointed that the tables aren't colored. I always thought kindergarten had colored tables to help the class recognize colors," Tanya said, disappointed.
"That will please my wife to hear you say that. These desks were for my wife's classroom. Charlotte kicked up a fuss then took the new tables," said a voice from the door.
"Mr. Clapp. Come and meet our new member of the teaching staff," April replied. "Tanya, this is John Clapp, our janitor. John, this is our newest teacher, Miss Tanya Denali."
"It's nice to meet you, Miss Denali," John said, holding out his hand.
"Please call me Tanya," Tanya replied.
"April, I'm just going to call Gale to see if she would like to swap the tables. I know the answer, but I think it's best to ask," John said with a chuckle as he took his cell out of his pocket.
April and Tanya continued to take pictures from the wall when they heard car doors slamming coming from the staff parking lot's direction.
"John, do you know anything about people using the parking lot on weekends," April shouted down the corridor.
"There shouldn't be anyone parking out there," John shouted back. "Both of you stay where you are, and I'll go and see what's happening."
They could both hear laughter and shouting of what sounded like teenagers.
"Yo, Emmett's in the house. The fork's high school football team at your service. Also, some of our lovely cheerleaders. Plus, Jazz and Ali. Jazz is too much of a pussy to be on the team," Emmett boomed out.
"Cut it out, Emmett, or you will be doing laps," Riley said as he smacked him across the back of his head. "Just put them to work. They're here to do as you say."
"Wow, thanks, guys. suppose you can do the manual work. Can you girls make arty/decorations?" Tanya asked.
"Just put us to work. Do we have any kind of materials to work with?" Alice asked.
"Do you think we could look around the storeroom and pull everything out to see what we have for the classroom? We might be able to find the books," Tanya instructed.
"Not a problem. I remember when I was here, I never had Mrs. Gerandy, but our classroom was so colorful," Jenna said.
"Yo, Mrs. C, still as pretty as ever," Emmett shouted as he rushed forward, picking up a woman as he swung her around.
"Put me down, Emmett," Gale Clapp yelled. "I heard you want to trade tables."
"Yes, I would. I hope I haven't pressured you," Tanya stuttered.
"Sweetie, I've wanted those tables since last year. Come on, Emmett, bring some of the boys and bring those tables down to my classroom. I think you can remember the way," Gale laughed.
"Do we have any easels? Tanya asked.
"We have a few in the basement, but they need to be fixed," John replied.
"Point me the way and show me the tools. I'll see if I can revive them," Jared said with a smile. "I've always wanted to go into your room Mr. C."
"Put a list together, and we can have a scavenger hunt for the things you don't have here," Riley suggested.
Tanya wrote a list from bean bags, bookshelves red, blue, yellow, and green felt, some Velcro, a clock, things for a home corner, a small fish tank, hamster cage, recycling box, small square baskets, files to a calendar, including the weather and season that was interchangeable, and a small cupboard that could be used as a shop.
"Can you get a nice mat so they can sit down, I don't like the way this one has squares taped on them," Tanya asked.
"Wow, sweetheart, that's a lot of things," Riley said, looking at the list.
"Let me see, we might have some of the things already here," John replied.
"What you haven't, split into three lists, and we will see what we can get around town for free," Jasper added. "Mom will probably have a cage and tank at the surgery."
"Are you Teddy's brother?" April asked.
"Yes. Believe it or not, Emmett is the older brother. But I have asked a few times if he is adopted," Jasper added.
There was laughter, and one of the girls put on some music. At the same time, the walls were stripped of anything on them.
"Miss. We found all these posters in the back of the cupboard. Will they be any good? I remember these when I was in here," Jenna said.
"They are a little tatty," Tanya replied.
"You could cut those out and make a mosaic of the pictures with maybe the alphabet mixed in around it," Alice suggested.
"We could stick them around that window if it's where you are hoping to put your bookcase," Jenna added.
"That sounds like it could work," Tanya replied.
A clock was found and put on the wall. One of the girls drew four more clocks writing signs next to them to read. The words recess, snack, lunch, and home were written in colored pens to show the children what happens at that time.
A large tree was painted on the main wall, with a sign that read, "Our Class Family" across the top. Tanya was going to have the children paint one of their hands to make a leaf. With a small picture of themselves in the middle.
"We come bearing gifts," Conner yelled as they all filed into the room.
"We also have food," Emmett added.
April went to get her purse while she asked. "How much do I owe you for the food?"
"Nothing, Mrs. B, it's all donated. Come and grab a sandwich. There's plenty of cans," Austin said.
The food was put out on the table, and everyone ate while Tanya looked at the things the kids had collected.
"Where did you get this carpet?" Gale asked. "I've never seen a carpet with blocks and the alphabet."
"My dad just had the pediatric consultant room remodeled, and this is what was leftover. It just needs some carpet tape or something to stop it from fraying," Jasper said.
By the end of the day, the room looked hugely different.
Tanya's desk was decorated, and a sign was put on the door that read, "Welcome to Miss. Denali's class.
The cubbies had now been moved into the corner near the door. The tables had been moved across the room, leaving a bigger space in the middle.
Jared had made four double-sided easels for painting. This meant that eight children could paint at the same time. Aprons were put on hangers and then placed on a small rail, with a small cupboard where the paint supplies would be kept.
A small bookcase was placed in the other corner, with books ready for the children to choose from. On top of the bookcase, the storybook of the week was put onto a small stand. The pictures looked great on the windows. Small chairs and bean bags were scattered around the area.
Near the door, a table was set up as the children's station. A pencil sharpener, tissues, and small baskets for homework were placed on the table. On the wall next to that was a felt chart made of the colors of the table. In a basket was a piece of felt in the shape of a balloon. Each balloon had one of the children's names on it.
A colorful chart with the classroom jobs had been replaced with the one that had been there when Charlotte had the classroom.
An activity calendar was put on the wall. This was to help the children identify the weather, season, and date. A child would change it every day.
Alice made a birthday chart with the theme of Peter Rabbit. The child's name would be added to the chart on the month of their birthday.
The fish tank and hamster cage were both put in the store cupboard. Tanya was going to introduce the animals to the class in a couple of weeks.
"Thank you, everyone, for your help. I wouldn't have been able to do this without you," Tanya gratefully said.
Now to see how the first day would go…
~T&I~
"Come on, Izzy, you get to meet your new teacher today," Charlie shouted up the stairs.
"I'm coming, daddy. Is mommy here, or has she left already?" Izzy asked.
"No, honey, she has left already. Now how do you want your hair?" Charlie asked.
"I think I'll wear my hair down today. I'll put my headband in," Izzy informed.
A smile crossed Charlie's face when Izzy began to sing as she was collecting her things together.
"Come on, kiddo, let's get going before we are both late," Charlie instructed.
"Don't forget if mommy doesn't come for you. You are going home with Teddy. Your new teacher will know, so you don't have to worry. Look, Teddy's waiting for you," Charlie said.
Izzy waved as she tried to take her seatbelt off.
"Hurry up and let me out before we're late. I don't want my new teacher to think I'm always late," Izzy shouted.
"Izzy, calm down. They haven't even opened the door," Charlie chuckled.
"Teddy, we have our new forever teacher today. Daddy said she is nice," Izzy shouted excitedly.
"Yes, Emmy and Jazzy said she is nice too. Her boyfriend is Coach Biers. They helped her on Saturday while mommy and I went to see Cars2 in Port Angeles," Teddy eagerly said. "Come on, mommy, they are opening the doors."
"Just hold back a little bit Izzy so you don't get squashed," Charlie instructed.
As they slowly made their way into the class, it became clear why they couldn't get into their classroom. Many people had come to the school probably to see the teacher.
"Welcome to the class. The cubbies are over there when you put your things away. Please go and find your seats. The tables are over there," Tanya instructed.
"Charlie, this is ridiculous. Why are there so many people here? Can't you clear the place a little? There are more people here than there were on the kids' first day," Esme whispered as she was pushed again.
"Okay, folks, this is getting dangerous for the kids. If you don't need to be here, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I'm sure it doesn't take this many people to bring your children to school," Charlie roared.
"I have to agree with Chief Swan; the children's welfare is important. There should at the most be two people per child. The rest, please wait in the schoolyard," Mrs. Biers commanded as she rushed into the classroom.
People began to leave so the kids could get to their cubbies and hang up their coats.
"Let's see if you can find your new table. Look, they are colored like they are in the other kindergarten room," Esme said.
"Daddy, look at all the things on the wall. They have books over there," Izzy beamed.
"I'm not staying with you. Look at your face; you're scary. It looks worse than Teddy's dirty face," Micky shouted.
Looking around, Charlie stepped forward. He wasn't going to have that said in his town.
"Don't you say that about my friend, Micky," shouted Collin.
"She's got a scary face. She can't be your friend. She's too big; she's a teacher," Micky continued.
"She is to my friend," Collin growled.
"How do you know her, Collin?" Karen Newton asked.
"She worked in my kitchen in my diner," Collin answered.
"You have employed a kitchen hand as a teacher? I don't want her teaching my Micky," Karen demanded.
"If you would, let me interrupt this ridiculous conversation. Karen, did you see my husband last time you had to go to the ER?" Esme asked.
"Well, of course, I did; he's a good doctor," Karen huffed.
"What you might not know is that Carlisle was qualified as a doctor, and he couldn't get a position in the town where I was working. Carlisle took a job waiting tables so we could pay our bills. He was just a doctor that was out of work. Miss. Denali went to work at the diner until she was able to get a teaching position," Esme concluded.
"I don't want to be Micky's friend anymore. He's mean. I don't want to sit at his table," Collin said.
"Why don't you take your chair and sit at the red table with Izzy, Teddy, Angela, and Ben," Tanya instructed.
"Mrs. Newton, Miss. Denali isn't going anywhere. She is a fabulous teacher. If you don't want Michael being taught by her, I can put him in the other kindergarten class," April stated.
"Karen, let's leave the kids to their day, and you can think this over," Charlie said. "If there is a problem with any other adult today, call the station, and I'll personally come straight away."
When everyone left, April stayed in the classroom in case any parents returned.
"Good morning, everyone. Please come and sit on the carpet so we can start our day," Tanya instructed.
The children came over and stood, not knowing what to do.
"Miss. Denali, we s'posed to sit in our squares, but they're gone," Jessica said.
"We don't have squares in my class; just sit on the carpet wherever you like," Tanya answered.
As the children sat on the carpet, Tanya went to get a globe out of the storeroom.
"Now, I'm sure you are wondering what happened to my face. First, let me show you where I lived when I was small," Tanya began. "This part of the country is called the state of Alaska. I lived there with my mom and dad, and my brother Eli. The town I lived in was called Anchorage. Alaska is a cold place most of the time, and it's dark pretty much of the time. When we had big storms, we would lose electricity. One day my big brother couldn't sleep, and he thought he would read for a while. The electricity went out, and he decided, instead of getting a flashlight, to read he light a candle. He fell asleep with the candle still lit, and it fell over and set the curtains on fire. It wasn't long before the whole house was on fire. I was burned in the fire."
"My mommy said we shouldn't play with matches," Angela offered.
"That's right; my mommy told us the same. But my brother never listened. So, there is nothing to be frighted of. I know it doesn't look pretty, but I'm sure we will have lots of fun this year," Tanya said, smiling.
"Miss Denali, we promise we won't be mean to you again," James said.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that. I thought we could spend the day setting up the classroom. I can explain what some of the things are around the room. Whatever color your table is will tell you what group you are in on these charts. First, we will start with the birthday chart. As I call your name, I want you to come up and tell me the number of your birthday. I will write your number under your name on these rabbits that one of the high school girls made for us. You can put the rabbit on your birthday month," Tanya instructed.
As they managed to identify the month they were born, she gave them praise. It didn't go unnoticed by Mrs. Webber that she had written the children's nickname on the rabbits.
"Next, we have a special calendar. Every day, one of you will have a turn to put the date on it. The class chose the weather and season symbol. Let's start with the red group. Ben, would you like to be the first one to put the date on the calendar?" Tanya asked, smiling.
Tanya then explained how everyone in the red group would take a turn. Then, the blue group, followed by the yellow group, with the green group being last.
Tanya walked to the corner of the room that had the table. "The next thing we need to look at is your work corner. When you arrive each morning, I would like you to put your things in the cubby. Then come over here. If you have homework, put it in one of the baskets. Then, find your name in this tub and put it on the color of your group. Then when I check, I can see who is here. When you have paper or a card you are not using, I would like you to put it in this box instead of putting it in the bin. It's called recycling, which means it can be used again by someone else. I would like you to take turns, find your name, and put it on the board, Tanya instructed.
Everyone was having a good time finding their names and putting them on the board.
"This is the best bit of the classroom. It's called Miss. Denali's shop. As you can see, we have lots of different things. We have pencils, crayons, books, and small toys. Each thing is worth different amounts of tokens. You can earn the tokens by doing good work, helping, and being kind. I will give you the tokens, which you can save until you have enough to get what you want. Then on Friday, you can exchange them for what you have saved for. But it will always be on Friday afternoons after 'show and tell'," Tanya explained.
She watched the excitement on the children's faces as they looked at the shop, working out what they would save up for.
"Miss. Denali, what is 'show and tell'?" Bobby asked.
"Each Friday afternoon before shop time, a group will bring something from home they would like to share with us. They will tell us about whatever it is they have brought in. But we can't bring in pets or something that belongs to someone else," Tanya explained. "Now, I want you to go out to recess, and when we come back, I will take your picture. We are going to make a handprint by painting our hands. Tomorrow, we will put it up along with your photo on the class tree."
The rest of the day was spent getting to know each of the children while they did activities. For the first time, they took turns coming over to Tanya's desk and received a book bag containing a journal and a reading book.
Time flew by and it was soon time for the class to go home.
"Mommy, we had good fun today. Miss. Denali gave us a book bag. There is a letter inside, and we got a reading book too. We can go to Miss. Denali's shop on Fridays to spend the tokens we earn," Teddy excitedly said.
"But if we want something bigger, we can save our tokens. There's a book corner with bean bags, and we can paint in our free time; but only eight people at a time. I like her better than Mrs. Gerandy. We get to take things in to 'show and tell' but not animals." Izzy informed.
Esme was so glad to see how happy the kids were. She just hoped that it would stay this way.
Thanks as always to my pre-reader Kellie (Klcivinski) for helping me with the research.
Donna (EdwardsFirstKiss) for editing the chapter and making it readable.
Any mistakes are all mine.