Don't Let Tere Come For You

Set up the scene:

It is February 13th, the day before parent teacher conferences and a four day weekend for students. The temperature in the room is on the warm side because these students know that the weekend is coming tomorrow and they only have one hour left of the school day. We are working on program music so all students have come to their seating arrangements and are, for the most part, ready to work. I attain quiet in the room, point out our agenda, and start our first song.

Suddenly the door at the back of the room opens. The sound is not loud, but it not soft. It is a firm purposeful opening of a door but also an opening that is not to be disturbing to more than one student. This one student hears the door open and his eyes open just a little bit wider.

I know, but I keep teaching.

Tere enters the room, a wonderful woman full of wisdom, knowledge, and the personality of one who has been teaching in the public school system for 20+ years. She moves with confident strides her magenta and black skirt swishing around her socked and Birkenstocked ankles.

I keep teaching.

Students who were not aware of her presence are now well aware that she is in the room, and that she is coming for someone.... someone who may not know that she is even there for them. But, that someone knows and is desperately trying to concentrate on being the best little musician he can be before being seized by Tere.

I keep teaching.

As Tere reaches her target she touches him on the shoulder. He turns to protest, but is not given the chance. She looks him in the eye with the look that only a Mother can give, takes him by the hand, and commandingly leads him from the room.

I keep teaching.

As the door clicks shut with the quiet loudness of impending doom, students turn to continue singing the song. There is a question in there eyes, "Will we ever see the Target of Tere again?" And the question lingers in the suddenly chilly air.

I keep teaching.