Page 1 of Inside Out

“Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.”

~William Shakespeare

“Think things through before you commit to something you’ll regret, dumb ass.”

~Romeo Bradley

“The school year keeps starting earlier and earlier. It’s still summer for crying out loud and my grandkids are starting back to school in a few days,” said an older gentleman sitting at the table beside mine at Books and Brew. Hidden behind the pages of the Blissville Daily News as I was, the guy had no idea the superintendent of schools was in earshot of his rant.

“The buildings are air-conditioned these days, Howie,” his table mate countered wryly. “It’s not like back when we were in school.”

“You make it sound like we went to a one-room school likeLittle House on the Prairie, Irv,” Howie countered. “I just don’t understand why they’re starting earlier if they’re going to school for the same number of days. I think the teachers are lazy and want to start their summers early.”

“Teachers aren’t lazy, and they aren’t the ones setting the calendars or curriculum. Take your concerns to the school board, but don’t blame the teachers.”

“Sorry,” Howie grumbled. “I didn’t meanyourdaughter.”

“It’s not an easy job, you know? Some of those kids don’t have a great home life, and their parents don’t really care if they eat properly or get a good education. My Cindy practically lives at that school when classes start up. There’s always some event taking place where the teachers try to foster good relationships with the parents and community. Back in our day, they didn’t even do parent-teacher conferences, and now, they have three of those a year, plus the fundraising events, music, band and theater productions, and—”

“I get it, Irv. I’m sorry.”

“Their pay is total shit too,” Irv said vehemently. He wasn’t wrong. “I just hate it when people blame the teachers for everything they see going wrong. It’s like blaming the foot soldier for losing a battle that was poorly planned by a general. They do as they’re told and so do teachers, Howie.” Irv was my kind of people.

“They don’t mind paying big money for a big city superintendent,” Howie said. “Mr. Fancy Pants Doctor of Education.”

Fancy pants?I slowly lowered the newspaper and cleared my throat, giving the gents a fair warning that the Fancy Pants in question had overheard them. One man colored immediately while the other grinned. Howie at least had the good fortune to look embarrassed, while Irv found the situation amusing.

“Your analogy comparing teachers to soldiers and the school board to generals was impressive, Mr.…” My voice trailed off, inviting him to share his last name.

“Rosenblum,” he said, getting to his feet to firmly shake my hand. “Irvin Rosenblum, but please call me Irv. My daughter teaches at Blissville Elementary, sir. She loves her job, so please don’t confuse my concern as her father with dissatisfaction on her part, Dr. Bradley.”

“Call me Rome,” I told him. “Cynthia Wilson is your daughter, right? She has identical dimples to yours.”

“That’s my baby girl,” he said proudly.

“My Doctorate in Education means it’s my job to solve problems in the education system. Teachers like your daughter are what’s right about our system, and it’s my job to give them the best tools and resources available. I encourage anyone who has concerns or issues about our school district to attend the board meetings and voice their opinions.”

Howie mumbled something beneath his breath.

“Excuse me, sir?” I asked patiently. “I didn’t quite make out what you said.”

“I said it would be a complete waste of anyone’s time,” Howie said stubbornly. “Our cares and concerns fall on deaf ears.”

“Howie,” Irv chastised.

“Sir, I can assure you the school board, district staff, and I do care what parents and grandparents think about our schools. We do listen when concerns are brought up at the meetings.”

“Since when?” Howie challenged.

“Since the residents voted in a new school board and hired a new superintendent of schools,” Irv said, shaking his head. “Maybe pay attention to what’s going on around you before you grumble about things.”

“I’m late for golf,” Howie said, rising from his chair and walking out of the café without so much as saying goodbye to his friend.

“I’m sorry if I ruined your chat with your friend over coffee.”

Irv shrugged. “He’s not really my friend. Our kids are married to one another, but we don’t see eye-to-eye on much.”

“I could tell.”