Page 9 of Agent of the Heart (Hearts in Hawthorne #3)
Chapter
Five
“ I hope the talk with my dad goes well,” Summer told Darby. “I know you’re making the right decisions. My heart and gut tell me so.”
Darby hugged her cousin. “Thanks for listening to me and helping me iron out my life. Now, I’ll see if I can make things happen.”
She went downstairs, hoping to catch her uncle before he left on his morning walk. She entered the kitchen and found him downing a glass of water.
“Want some company on your walk?” she asked brightly.
“I can’t pass up spending time with my favorite niece,” Joe Sutherland said.
They headed out the back door and walked for about ten minutes without talking.
Working up her courage, Darby said, “Are you familiar with Kay Timmons?”
“I’m proud to say I know every teacher in the Hawthorne schools by name,” her uncle said. “I interview each new hire after the principal sends them to me, and I also go and watch them teach a lesson once they’ve been placed in a Hawthorne classroom. Why?” he asked, frowning slightly.
“Kay’s husband has been transferred to Chicago,” she revealed.
“Darn it! Blanche Biggerstaff told me that was a possibility back in the spring. Since no one brought it up again, I thought we were safe for this school year.” He frowned.
“Normally, I wouldn’t hold a teacher to a contract if his or her spouse is asked to move for their job.
I’d simply let Kay go with Todd and wish her the best. She will be too hard to replace, though, especially now that the school year is underway.
Very few teachers want to take on being a cheer coach, much less adding to it by sponsoring the newspaper and yearbook staffs.
That’s a lot to put on a person’s plate, but Kay’s done a fabulous job at the high school. ”
“What if I told you there’s a replacement standing by, ready to take on both the cheerleaders and both publications’ staffs?”
“Then I’d give you a big hug since I don’t have any kind of bonus money to pay.” He stopped in his tracks. “Darby, are you interested in the Kay’s job?”
She nodded. “For a while now, I’ve felt I’m at a crossroads, Uncle Joe.
I’ve loved my time at Cheer USA, but I’m ready to try something different.
I’ve kept my Texas teaching certificate current all these years, just in case, and now might be the time to make the change.
I realize I need to interview with Blanche Biggerstaff.
And you. I don’t want anyone to talk about nepotism.
I want to earn this job, fair and square. ”
“Legally, I will have to post the position. You would be ideal for the position, Darby. Not only coaching the cheer squads, but I recall you were the editor-in-chief for the Hawthorne Herald .”
“My teaching fields are English and journalism,” she confirmed.
“Kay said that she teaches an intro to journalism class and promised to pass along all her notes and lesson plans to make for a smooth transition. She also has returning staff members to both the newspaper and yearbook, so those publications are in decent shape now.”
“What about Cheer USA? Have you talked to them?”
She shook her head. “I’ve only been toying with this idea, thinking I’d put in my application here in Hawthorne for any openings next year.
Then I talked with Kay at the game Friday night.
She was upset. She loves her kids here in Hawthorne but was dreading being separated from Todd for the entire school year, especially because they’re trying for a baby now. ”
“You know I can’t guarantee you the job.
” He smiled. “We have to look at qualifications. And right now, I can’t think of a better candidate to take over for Kay.
You’re certified in the right teaching field.
You have experience galore with cheerleading.
And you know the newspaper side of journalism.
I don’t see how we can find a better teacher to step into Kay’s shoes than you.
It’ll just be a matter of crossing our T’s and dotting those I’s. ”
Darby flung her arms around him. “Thank you, Uncle Joe. I’ll need to put in my notice with my boss. This is actually a good time of year to resign. We’re busier in the winter, spring, and summer than we are in fall.”
“Let’s head back to the house,” Uncle Joe suggested.
“We can let you apply to HISD online. I’ll see that Kay’s job is posted right away in order to get the clock ticking, and I’ll talk to Blanche about interviewing you while you’re in town.
We can aim for that tomorrow and do the interview together. ”
“That’s Labor Day,” Darby protested. “I can’t take away her holiday.”
“Teachers and administrators don’t really have holidays. That’ll be one of the first things you learn about this business. Most people get to enjoy weekends. Teachers grade papers. Act as a sponsor and chaperone for events. Come on. Meg can feed us some French toast when we get home.”
Once they were home and had eaten breakfast, Darby downloaded the application to teach in Hawthorne ISD.
It was lengthy, but she felt confident that she was doing the right thing as she filled it out.
She couldn’t see anyone applying who would have more experience than she did in such specific areas.
She went downstairs and found Uncle Joe in his study, informing him that she’d emailed the application to HR.
“I’ve already talked with Blanche. I also called our webmaster and had the job listed on our website. Blanche said she was happy to come over to the house in an hour, and we can do the interview here.”
“Then I better jump in the shower and look presentable for her,” Darby teased.
An hour later, Blanche Biggerstaff arrived. They went into Uncle Joe’s office, taking seats.
“I know this is unusual to do an interview on a Sunday,” he began, “but it will be important to fill this position as soon as possible.” Turning to the high school principal, he said, “You can run with it now, Blanche.”
“Thank you, Dr. Sutherland.” She glanced to Darby. “Tell me a little bit about your background, Ms. Montgomery.”
Seeing that Blanche was keeping things formal, Darby responded, “I’d be happy do so, Mrs. Biggerstaff.
First of all, I’m a product of Hawthorne schools, where I received an excellent education.
It allowed me to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where I had no trouble with my classes because I was so well prepared academically.
I majored in secondary education, earning certifications in English and journalism.
While at UT, I worked on the staff of the university’s newspaper, The Daily Texan .
I had previously been on the staff of the Hawthorne Herald , serving as editor-in-chief my senior year. ”
Darby paused a moment before continuing.
“I was a cheerleader throughout my school days and cheered for the Longhorns in college. Because of my outstanding performance on the field and in competitions, I was tapped to work for Cheer USA during the summers between college semesters, traveling the country and teaching at clinics for girls ranging from twelve to eighteen years of age. After graduating with honors, I went to work full-time for Cheer USA. I was an assistant choreographer, creating dances, as well as the words and movements to cheers. I eventually became the head choreographer for the organization. I’ve traveled the country, teaching and running workshops in forty-eight of the fifty states.
Right now, part of my role is scouting facilities to hold our national cheer competition.
I’m familiar with budgets and traveling expenses, and I know I could sponsor the groups in question. ”
“That is quite impressive, Ms. Montgomery,” Blanche praised.
“I know I’m unproven in the classroom, but I have taught for years at these cheer camps.
Although I don’t have any experience in putting together a yearbook, I have been assured by the current sponsor, Kay Timmons, that the staff in place is experienced.
I believe one of my best qualities is my flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly to new situations. ”
Blanche asked a few more questions about Darby’s teaching experiences within Cheer USA and finished with, “Why now? You’re employed by a well-known, national organization. You’ve risen through the ranks. Are you unhappy at your present job?”
“I wouldn’t say unhappy,” she began. “It’s more that I don’t feel as challenged as I once was.
After working at Cheer USA for over a decade, I’m looking for new professional experiences.
I’ve enjoyed the teaching portion of my job, and I would love to transition into a teaching job full-time in the public schools.
I’m a product of public schools, and I think the best and brightest should go into teaching, to serve as role models for our students. ”
She took time for a breath and then added, “I’m in my early thirties, Mrs. Biggerstaff.
I’ve traveled the country for ten years, and now I feel the need to put down roots.
To come home to Hawthorne. I’m close to my family, and both my brother and two of my cousins have returned to Hawthorne in the past year.
Family is very important to me. I feel Hawthorne is a special place, and I would like to be a part of the experience students who live here have. ”
Blanche nodded, seeming satisfied with Darby’s answers. The principal looked to her uncle. “Dr. Sutherland, do you have anything you’d like to add?”
He asked Darby a couple of questions regarding her philosophy of teaching.