Part II:
(Haven’t read Part I yet? Be sure to read that here first.)
Standing there in the empty hall, with the exception of my friend and a starburst wrapper breezing around on the floor, I am flushed with panic, anxiety, and disbelief.
I am desperately trying to think of a way this could all be a mistake, a misunderstanding.
I continue to frantically re-search my phone, playing each step out carefully, hoping and praying this is not what it seems.
The bell rings and the emptiness is filled with instant chaos.
As I try to make my way down the crowded hallways while maintaining a poker face, feeling every ounce of what it is to be conflicted in my feelings of surrounded, yet alone, stoic, yet distraught. Kids are trying to talk to me, beckon me, get my attention, jumping all over, whooping and hollering, and all I can do is beeline it to the only female adult I trust in the entire building.
Finally, I reach her office.
“I need to show you something, it’s important.” I beg.
She says nothing, but I can see she understands it’s serious.
I sit down next to her and flip my phone open as I begin telling her every detail, breathlessly.
She is appalled. I suddenly realize I am in a state of shock when I see her speaking, but I am only hearing a few sporadic words.
“Inappropriate… unacceptable… disgusting… fired…” to name a few.
She insists I let her keep my phone so she can go tell the Principal what has happened immediately.
I reluctantly agree.
As I step into class and head towards the teacher with my late slip I am bombarded by the heat of the spring day, but more so by the smoldering rumors that fill the room.
I manage to keep my head down, desperately trying to keep my shit together.
When I’m pulled into the office, the principal, vice principal, and my confidant are all sitting there clearly nervous and uncomfortable.
First, they ask me to repeat my story while being transcribed. When I finish, they inform me they’ve spoken to “their colleague” and have heard “his side of the story”. They all admit, repeatedly, that his story changed numerous times within the short meeting with him. And, acknowledge that my story has remained consistent.
That’s the funny thing about facts, they don’t change.
From what I gather he began with complete, blatant denial. As the evidence was slowly revealed his story chameleonized along with it. Beginning with “confiscating a student’s phone as a disciplinary action”, but did NOT take pictures or make phone calls… then to “yes, made one phone call”, but no pictures… then to “yes, took a picture”, but did not send it… then to “yes, I sent it”, but only because he wanted more pictures for his office cork board.
When he was shown the images and questioned about their “nature” he claimed it was all innocent and anything that appeared not to be innocent must have simply been a mis-taken photo.
They all assured me they’ve each gone through my phone and replayed each step it would require to do everything he did. They are all in agreement there is absolutely no possible way such a thing could have been done without intention.
They all apologize profusely. Reiterate over and over that it is absolutely unacceptable, disgusting, inappropriate behavior in which the school district has zero tolerance for.
I am assured he has been placed on “leave” while they further “investigate” the situation, including confiscating his computer. The superintendent will be getting involved along with the police officer who is stationed on campus. And, they will call my mom and let her know what has transpired.
I am free to go… and my cell phone is returned to me.
So, I walk out of the office, down the hall, and out to my car.
I just need to go home.
“Thank God I have so many people who support me…” I hear myself say aloud as I close my car door.
to be continued… Part III
By day’s end, I felt relieved to have so many supportive people in my corner. I felt reassured that doing the right thing… is the right thing to do.
My feelings of doubt and vulnerability were pushed aside as I gained my strength and footing from so many adults assuring me I’d made the right decision. Praising me for my bravery. Thanking me for speaking up so that such behavior could be taken care of.
I felt prepared for whatever rumors kids were already beginning to spread. I was confident within my maturity of knowing I may have to endure some of my peers not understanding the weight or seriousness of the situation.
Although, I was quickly realizing, most of my peers… as well as many other teachers and adults throughout the school… were not in the least bit surprised by this particular teacher’s behavior. It was becoming more and more clear that he had a well-established reputation for being inappropriate.
I sat down with my parents and they assured me I had nothing to worry about. They would take care of it and the school administrators were very aware of the gravity of the situation.
My mom told me I had done my part and there was no reason for me to speak to anyone at school any further about it without her present. She wanted me to get back to being a high school teenager and let the adults adult. She also told school admin not to speak to me in regard to the situation under any circumstance without her permission.
When I returned to school the next day… Every. Single. Thing. was turned upside down.