In another life, I labored within the bowels of the California public school system for 17 years. This was a productive, though trying time for me, as evidenced in part by the following story… I spent the first two years of my teaching career at Liberty Elementary School in Riverside, California (Room 3 - 6th grade). The school was home to many colorful characters. We had Mr. Hernandez, the school principal (he was super cool - think Ricardo Montalban on Fantasy Island). He was always relaxed, no matter the crisis. I think his biggest concern was not spilling grape soda on his polyester golf slacks. Then there was Mrs. Phillian, next door (she was a battle-hardened classroom veteran). My friend Mr. Heath, from across the hall, was perhaps the funniest teacher I ever met. He could never walk past my classroom TV and VCR without reaching out his hand and feigning electrical shock. He got a reaction from me every time. And the students… Memorable was Billy Maruffo. He was the only kid in 6th grade who had to shave (I think he was 19). His favorite pastime was mooning the school bus every morning before boarding.
But of all the students I had in those early years of teaching, no one compared to Emmet.
Emmet had been expelled from the district after an episode where he had threatened two of his fellow students with a kitchen knife. After being expelled, the district relented and said that if his parents could find another school to accept him, he could return. So, they came to me. Emmet was to be my new student.
