Page 49 of Fundamentals of Chemistry

“You seem to be settling in very well. I’ve heard reports from the other teachers that you are being social and active outside of classes. The students, too, speak highly of you, both in your classes and outside of them.”

“It’s a pleasure to be back on campus. I’m flattered that others are noticing.”

“Yes, quite. However, there does seem to be an area for improvement. Academically.”

I sat a little straighter and tried to keep my voice from shaking. “Could you please elaborate, sir?”

“Exam scores, Ms. Burke. This morning I reviewed Scoreboard for your sections versus Mr. Cooper’s sections, as well as the exams from previous years. The scores from your sections were one standard deviation lower than those of Mr. Stephens’s classes last year, and they were two standard deviations lower than Mr. Cooper’s sections. What do you have to say about that?”

I felt like I had just been hit by a Mac truck. There was suddenly a loud ringing in my ears. I became lightheaded as my breathing became shallow.

Of course, I had seen the exams for Cooper’s classes, but I hadn’t paid much attention to the scores. I had been too busy brooding and sulking over his rejection.

I was failing. My class had failed. I let them down. I was going to lose the job. I would have to go crawling back to my parents. I would have to start all over. I—

I was overreacting.

I needed to play it cool.

I took a deep breath and wiped my palms on the sides of my trousers before speaking. “Well, it is only the first exam,” I said. “I’m confident that my students are learning the material. There were a couple of concepts that they struggled with, so I’ve already reviewed those with them again—”

“Ms. Burke.” Richmond cut off my rambling excuses before I could build up any steam. “You are a very bright young person, and you have a lot of potential as an educator.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and pulled on my most charming smile. “Thank you, sir.”

“But”—he paused for emphasis, and my smile faltered—“it is paramount that the students are able to demonstrate mastery of the material in exams. We have a certain standard, a reputation if you will, here at Newbury. The parents expect—and demand—the best.”

It was a warning. And a dismissal. We were only one month into the semester, but I was already done.

“I understand, sir.”

“Excellent. I expect you will sort out your process and the midterm scores will be much improved…”

My brain short-circuited. Was I getting another chance? I wasn’t fired?

I realized he had never stopped talking.

“I’m sorry, sir,” I interrupted. “What were you saying?”

“Mr. Cooper,” Richmond said. “I recommend having a chat or two with him. He seems to have something figured out. The students have mixed feedback on him, but the exam scores from his sections are exemplary.”

My stomach twisted into a knot at the prospect of seeing Cooper—of asking him for help. It was highly unlikely he would agree to it. My failure was in his best interest. There had to be something—anything—else I could do.

I searched the Headmaster’s expression, looking for any hint that he might accept an alternative. But he stared back resolutely, his mind clearly made up.

“Yes, of course. Thank you, sir.”

I started to stand, a mixture of relief at not being fired and anxiety about speaking with Cooper making me feel lightheaded.

As I turned to leave, he spoke again. “Ms. Burke? While you are here, is there anything else you would like to discuss with me?”

I froze mid-stride.

My brain flashed back to Saturday night—Phyllis’s whiskey at the bonfire and Cooper’s kiss in Brookside Hall. Richmond couldn’t possibly know about any of that. Too many people would be implicated.

“No, sir,” I said. “Everything has been going really well.”

He nodded, satisfied. “Excellent. In that case, have a fine rest of your day.”