Hot Water

Fourth-grade teacher Linda Moore stepped back farther this time and tried to look at her ‘December’ bulletin board the umpteenth time with a fresh pair of eyes. Yes, she felt, she could live with it now. Fortunately, she realized, her interest in art was high and she liked doing the boards. This new teacher’s job in the bustling Chilean capital had become a challenge for Linda, who originally hailed from a small town in Illinois. Bulletin boards at Illinois schools were important too, but nothing like the fuss they made over them in this country. Here they were fanatics about them Linda dared to think, though she would never voice that. The topics, colors, written messages, letter size and even the combination of materials used had to be just right. If not, a teacher would soon hear from…
Speaking of hearing from someone, Linda realized she had to be in the principal’s office in fewer than ten minutes. She’d better go freshen up so she’d look her best.
In the bathroom Linda washed her face, applied new lipstick and wondered what this little session would be about. Claudia Carmichael was the school principal. She was well-liked by most of the teachers and had treated Linda very kindly since she’d arrived for her two-year stint in August. Claudia was half Chilean, half North American but had spent most of her life in Chile.

Linda knocked then entered Claudia’s office.

“Hello Linda, good to see you,” Claudia said. “You know Connie Shroeder, of course.”

“Yes, of course, how are you?” Linda said. Both nodded as Linda took a chair near Connie’s. Tricia Shroeder, one of Linda’s fourth-grade girls, was Connie’s daughter.

“I won’t keep you long,” Claudia said, looking at Linda. “Connie says Tricia has been coming home and talking about a movie with Jesus in it. Have the kids been watching a movie with Jesus in it?”

A sudden realization hit Linda. “Oh, yes,” she said. “I’ve been showing the kids segments of The Nativity this month. They seem to be enjoying it.”

“We Shroeders are atheists, Linda,” Connie said. “I thought perhaps you knew that.”

“Well, I suspected it, but I wasn’t sure,” Linda said. “I know Tricia is on the list to go to the library during religion class and she has been going. I’ve been sending her with the others.”

“Is this movie from the library?” Claudia asked.

“No, it isn’t. It’s my personal movie,” said Linda. “I hadn’t thought it would be harmful.”

“When are you showing the movie, Linda?” Claudia asked.

“Sometimes between classes. Only five, ten minutes max. Sort of a small break from routine.”

“I’m going to insist you make sure non-Christians are out of the classroom when you do that again,” said Claudia.

“Oh, no problem,” Linda said. “I understand completely. And I apologize to Connie. I admit I’ve been a bit careless.”

Claudia looked at Connie. “Do you accept Linda’s apology, Connie?” she asked.

Connie Shroeder looked at Linda. Knowing that Tricia was quite fond of her teacher, Connie found that her irritability had diminished now.

“Yes, of course I do. I just need for you to be more considerate of our beliefs,” Connie said.

Linda was relieved it seemed to work out. All three said goodbye and Connie and Linda went their separate ways.

When Claudia closed the door and sat back down at her desk, she looked toward the ceiling.

“You know, sometimes I think You try to get me into hot water!” she said.