Adam Blake - 41. Chapter 41

When I got back to the office, James handed me an envelope from Dr. McMillan indicating there will be a Board meeting on Monday at 1 pm. I took out my cell phone and called Henry. He asked how I was doing, I brought him up to date including my cafeteria experience and the Knights of the Square Table. “I seem to be relating well with the students, it’s the other Directors and one, in particular, I’m having problems with. Henry, you know me, I encourage students, I put in plans to help them achieve. I have one student who is failing because he doesn’t have enough time to finish a test. Project- a testing center where all students take their tests under the guidance of a monitor. I need you Henry to do your magic again.”

“What does your contract say?”

“It’s a standard 2-year contract with a clause that prevents them from firing me for two years. They can buy out the contract but there is a penalty clause there.”

“So it isn’t the money, it’s what your passion is.”

“Exactly, can you help?”

“I’ll get back to you.”

“Oh hello Richard, how may I help you. It’s my father sir. He’d like to talk to you.”

“Does he want me to call him or for him to call me?”

“No sir, he’s here and wants to meet you.”

“Good, did he say where he would like to meet.”

“Sir, he’s in Dr. McMillan’s office. He’ll come here if it’s ok.”

“That is fine Richard, I can see him anytime today. And Richard, you won’t be leaving the school. I’ll fix your problem and I suspect you’ll be in the top group in less than 3 months.” He smiled as he ran from my office.

James looked at me, I smiled, “Get my armor and sword. I’m going to battle.”

“Dr. Blake, Ambassador Damon is here to see you.”

“Thank you, James, please show him in. Ambassador Damon, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“After talking to Arlene I’m not sure. She says you’re a rebel.”

“She’s right, as far as education, I’m a rebel, always have been and probably always will be. But not a rebel in a negative sense but one against methods that don’t take advantage of exceptional students or students that need extra help. Your son came to me because you threaten to remove him from this school because he was failing. I looked at his records and his tests, he’s failing not because he’s dumb, he’s very bright. His problem relates to not be given sufficient time to finish his test. Under the old system, he’d leave thinking he was a failure, under my system he’ll leave with confidence and knowing he still has your support.”

“I don’t understand, this is not what Arlene is saying.”

“James, get one of my books for the Ambassador. Did Arlene tell you your son is failing?”

“Thank you, yes she said if his grades don’t improve in the next 6 weeks he must leave the school.”

“I’m telling you, don’t believe it. He’ll be in the top third of his class in a short time. Look at the answers on these tests, they are brilliant. Look at this grade. That grade came about because each question was worth 5 points. He didn’t answer 7 questions and failed the test. I’ll bet if I gave that test to him today in this room and allowed him the time to finish, he’d be able to answer every one of those unanswered questions and be correct.”

“You actually believe that.”

“Yes, there’s a Director’s meeting Monday, the unspoken goal is to have me resign, won’t happen. If I’m right about Richard I want your endorsement.”

“And if you are wrong you’ll resign?”

“No, but they can buy out my contract.”

“Ok, we can do that now?”

“Yes, James ask Richard to come in.”

“Richard, I have your last exam with me, I want you to sit at my desk and finish the exam. Your dad will stay here with you or he can come with me, whatever you choose. James notify Richard's teacher to come and monitor the exam. Richard, there is no time limit, take your time and answer all of the questions. You understand, Knight.”

He smiled and nodded his head yes.

I met his teacher in my outer office and told him what I wanted to be done. “Once you’ve graded his answers bring his paper to me, I’ll be in the cafeteria with the Ambassador.”

“I looked at James and he knew to keep an eye on things. I closed my outer office door and we headed to the cafeteria. We were on our second cup of coffee when the teacher brought the paper to me. “Sit down Steve and have a cup of coffee.” Steve went to get a cup of coffee as I slid the paper to the Ambassador.

“You didn’t look at it.”

“I don’t need to look at it. He has a perfect score.”

“Steve, what’s the difference? Why did Richard get a perfect score now?”

“How do you know, you haven’t seen the paper?”

“I don’t need to see the paper because the boy is smart. He knows his stuff.”

“So why didn’t he do this the first time?”

“Take a guess”

“I don’t know.”

“Some children don’t act well under pressure, that was Richard’s problem. It’s caused by anxiety, not being able to finish in time, and so what happens they don’t which strengthens their anxiety.”

“I’m going to change his grade. But we can’t give him all the time, there are other classes.”

“I’m going to change that if I’m still here next week. We’re going to have a test center, there under the guidance of a monitor all tests will be taken and a student will be allowed to finish the test even if it takes him half the day. Would you support that?”

“Sure, it would give me more teaching time.”

“Spread the word. Well, Ambassador are you proud of your son?”

“Yes, this is hard to believe.”

“Let’s go and tell him how proud you are of him He needs that from you.”

On the way out I asked Steve where he ate lunch. ”I guess I’ll be eating in the cafeteria from now on.”

I chuckled as we walked back to my office.