Adam Blake - 38. Chapter 38

I decided it was time I audit a few classes. I picked one of the classes where one of the students wasn’t doing well. I needed to have further insight into the teaching methods used as well as student participation. “Hello Mr. Anderson, I’d like your permission to audit your class. I believe you have James van Cees in your class.”

“Yes, I do. It would be a pleasure to have you audit my class.”

“Maybe audit is too strong of a word, I want to focus on Mr. Cees while you teach.”

I went and got one of my books from the car, I’d give it to Mr. Anderson for allowing me to audit his class.

I entered his class after he had taken the role. There were 9 students in his class, I knew that the class size would be small. I listened as he explained the lesson for the day but my eyes were on James. It would appear that he was listening so why was he having problems. After class I gave Mr. Anderson the book, “It appeared that he was listening, why do you think his grades are so low?”

“His test scores are very low. In the classroom, he participates but when I give a written test, he scores very low.”

“Do you have his tests?”

“Yes, I keep all of my tests.”

“May I have his, I’d like to review it, and then if it’s ok with you, review it with him. In my discussions with him at lunch, he seems to be a bright boy.”

“I’ll have the tests sent to your office after lunch. Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“No, ask away.”

“Why did you choose not to eat lunch in the Staff Dining Room?”

“I look at my job to be a connection between curriculum and the student. I want every student here who has a problem, real or perceived, to feel free to come to me. The only way I know that to happen is if they see me as being approachable. Eating in the cafeteria with them gives them confidence and trust. You should try it sometimes, you might be surprised.”

Walking back to my office, I saw Jane waving me over to her office. “I just heard from James about his office. Are you trying to be a maverick or is that who you are?”

“What do you think?”

“I’m not sure but you’re certainly shaking everyone up. There are members of the Board who are saying it was a mistake offering you the job.”

“I have no problem with that. I don’t think I’ll be fired and if I am, I have a two-year contract. By then, they’ll be converted and if not, the parents of these students will convert them. I know what I’m doing, I have wrestled with more powerful people than the Board.” I was remembering how I had to fight with the review board for my doctorate. Henry helped with that as well as the position here, he’ll help me again if I need it.

“James, I have asked Bob Anderson to send down the exams taken by James Cees. Let me know when they arrive. I’ll be in the Library.”

I expected to see some students in the library and I wanted to see that room as well. The library was on the second floor of the building, towards the back. I always thought if I ever design a school, the Library would be in front and the first place anyone entering the school would see. Looking at the teachers’ roster, I noted that the librarian was Mary Walcott.

Walking to the library, Ms. Walcott looked up from her desk and smiled. “Dr. Blake, welcome to our library. May I help you with anything?”

“Ms. Walcott I’m fine. I just wanted to see the Library as I hadn’t seen it when I interviewed. If it’s ok, I’ll just roam around and check out some of the books available for the students.”

“If you need any help, just let me know.” I thanked her and began to look at the bookshelves. I noticed several foreign books, books in other languages. That seemed appropriate for a school with multinationals.

As I walked around I noticed one table had five students studying. One of the students sat at my table in the cafeteria. When he saw me he waved, I went to his table and sat in the empty chair.

“You all seem to be studying very hard. What is the subject matter that has your interest?”

“We are studying the Constitutions of various country's. We need to write a report comparing two countries versus the US Constitution. We have decided that each of us take two different countries that way we won’t be writing about the same country.”

“If you were to write a Constitution, what would you include?”

I watched as they thought about it, Robert looked at me, “I’m not sure but it would reflect my values.”

“I believe you may have an outline for an excellent report. Remember those who wrote the constitutions of the countries were greedy people who were looking out for themselves.”

“That doesn’t seem possible.”

“Look at it his way, someone says I want the right to own land, someone says if you want the right to own land then I want the right to own a gun. Another says, I want to make sure the man who holds my values gets in office, the other says I want to make sure the man I prefer gets in office. Then a conclusion is reached, the right to own property and the right to elect the person of our choice will be included in the constitution of this country. That is more or less some of the dialogue. Religion also played a part in the drafting of a constitution. A good exercise would be for you five to develop a constitution that all five of you would agree and would be willing to live by. See you at lunch.”

I spent another hour in the library, looking at the subject matter covered. “Ms. Walcott, do you have any books authored by free thinkers?”

“I’m not sure. Do you have any particular authors in mind?”

“Yes, I have a few; Thomas Paine, Bertrand Russell, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris for a few.”

“I don’t believe we have any of them. Most of our books are reference books or old textbooks.”

“I hope you’ll include my book in your library.”

“I will be delighted to include your book, but I haven’t received it yet.”

“I think you’ll have it by the end of the day.”

I decided to go for a cup of coffee in the cafeteria. It was too early for lunch, but I knew there was coffee leftover from breakfast, at least I hoped there would be. When I entered the cafeteria, I noticed one of the boys sitting at a table by himself. I got my coffee and headed toward his table. When I sat down he looked up and there were tears in his eyes.”

“What’s the matter?”

“I received a letter from my dad, he said if I don’t improve my grades I’ll have to go home. I know the material but I get uptight whenever I take a test. I’m not good under pressure.”

“Do you want some help?”

“You can help me? I have a lot of friends here and I’d like to stay. I need to bring my grades up.”

“Are you falling in a lot of subjects or just one or two?”

“All of them, I just can’t function under the pressure of time. I take my old tests and when I can take my time I finish them easily.”

“If you promise me to give me your best, I’ll help you. Is it a deal?”

“Yes, sir, it’s a deal.”

“Ok after lunch you come and see me in my office.”

Now I had something to do. There are a lot of kids that tighten up taking tests. Ms. Walcott just might get another job. Walking back into my office with my coffee, James looked at me and then my coffee.

“Coffee is in the cafeteria, go and get yourself a cup. Until we get a coffee maker, any time you want a coffee go and get it.”