Page 39 of Bride Games
39
Dr. Ryder
A fter Dr. Ryder met with Eli a few minutes before school began, she promised to send a detailed email about the whimsical theme and colors to every teacher at Appledale Elementary. She told him she personally loved the idea of televising their wedding and would handle alerting parents, faculty, and students in an email. She also said she’d take care of getting permission slips. Eli shook her hand vigorously, thanked the principal, and went back to class with an indelible smile. An hour later, Dr. Ryder requested an informal meeting in the teacher’s lounge.
Dr. Ryder entered the lounge where the teachers—most of them—were chatting excitedly. They all seemingly talked at once, saying their students were on board and were thinking of ways to incorporate the school curriculum into the wedding planning.
Mr. Snook, who sat in the corner, head down while he ate, snorted. “How are you going to incorporate an elementary school education with a ridiculous wedding on the school grounds?” He huffed, adding, “I’m against this and have already told my students we aren’t participating.”
Dr. Ryder, who was making more coffee, stood rigid but kept her calm. “And that’s your right, Mr. Snook.” The principal turned to face the dour teacher. “I’m curious. Are your students disappointed?”
He shrugged as he nibbled on a sandwich. “They’ll get over it.”
Every head turned toward him. Miss Ainsley, folded and refolded a napkin in her lap before speaking in a barely audible tone. “Do you think that’s fair? To your students, I mean?”
Mr. Snook rolled his eyes. “Listen, I know you teach the younger kids. I teach fifth grade. We barely have enough days in the year to cover every subject. I’m not going to shortchange my students over a-a silly wedding.”
Miss Ainsley, who had only been at Appledale for a year, visibly recoiled. Dr. Ryder took a seat between the two teachers. “Thadius, why are you being so stubborn? We often take on different projects each year. It keeps the curriculum fresh and exciting.”
The other teachers watched as he shifted in his seat. Silently. Miss O’Connor, the other first grade teacher, said, “I wrote a few general ideas on the board, and you wouldn’t believe how animated my students became. They shouted out concepts and we took a poll of their best ideas. I wrote them all on the board and have never seen so many little hands waving in the air as they voted.”
“Same here,” added Mrs. Houser. “My fourth graders are leaning toward having this be akin to a Career Day where they act as young servers, ushers, and hosts making sure the guests are comfortable with their food and drink or?—”
The other fourth grade teacher made a note on her napkin. “That’s a fantastic idea, Mrs. Houser. Sort of like an internship for hospitality for young people—very young people.” She grinned. “Maybe our classes can collaborate and find matching aprons in the wedding colors.”
Miss Ainsley spoke up again. “My class is all about the art. They want to create a beautiful garden with flowers and hearts. We may use fingerpainting to create little heart-shaped hands. We’ll experiment during our art period.”
“Ooh. I like that idea too. I’d love for my class to join in with yours,” Mrs. Henley added. “One of my students mentioned the large paper maché flowers her grandma used to make when she was a teen. Wouldn’t that be fun as a decoration? In the bridal colors, of course. I also thought of making stained-glass windows using cardboard and tissue paper. They kids can create intricate designs and make their own stencils.” She chuckled. “We’re going to have busy, interesting art classes.”
“Well, well.” Dr. Ryder applauded. “I see the wedding planning is already crystalizing. These all sound like wonderful, meaningful ideas, everyone. I knew you’d come around and handle this perfectly. It’s up to you whether you decide to find a time to work together with another class.” The principal glanced at Mr. Snook. “I really hope you’ll reconsider, Thadius—for your students’ sake, if nothing else. Your older students will be able to create things the younger kids cannot. Just think about it.”
Dr. Ryder stood. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to meet with Eli Hansen again to give him a broad overview and tell him we’re all”—she peered at Mr. Snook—“moving right along with a variety of innovative ideas. I won’t tell him every detail because he said he and Emma want to be surprised by the school’s transformation.”
As the principal got to the door, she tapped the door jamb. Short in stature, she still commanded the room. “Thank you, everyone. I predict this will be one for the history books.”