Katy.
Katy snorting to herself in the back corner of the room.
"That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. What are you retarded?"
My blood rising. Filling my face. Turning...red.
Ash's question had been fair, and good. And more, maybe, most important: true. He had opened himself and shared a genuine curiosity about a controversial topic. A student who asked a fair, good, and true question because he had encountered something he wanted to know more about.
And then Katy.
"No, Katy. In eight years of teaching, that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Not in this room. Not ever again."
Calm hands. Not a tremor. Clear, but not raised voice. In control. Blood back down.
Katy in tears, rushing out the door. Me, sending two friends after her, so she is not alone.
Katy, four months later, asking me for a letter of recommendation for a college application. Me writing one.
A good one. Fair and good. And true.
Welcome to the Teachers Lounge. This morning's lecture: emotional intelligence.
The bagels are on me, enjoy the coffee, and if you're the last one out, please turn off the lights.
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