“Maddie Ross!” I shout, but realizing I can’t let my temper get the better of me, I take a deep breath and continue more quietly, “What in the world do you think you’re you doing?”
“Miss Springer!” Maddie protests defensively. “Johnny was talking shit about my mom, saying my dad killed her! He doesn’t know nothing!” She’s panting, trying to get every word out of her mouth as quickly as she can, but her work is done. The boy she beat up is in pretty bad shape. His face is already turning a sickening shade of purple, blue, and green. He can’t even defend himself; his mouth is too bloody to get out a word.
I don’t have a moment to sort through any of this before I hear a familiar click of heels on the tile floor behind me. Then, a shout rises from the quiet, “Miss Springer! What is going on here?” There’s a pause as I watch Principal Western kneel down and examine Johnny. She then reels her head towards Maddie and me noting how I’m still holding Maddie in place. Ms. Western’s voice peeks as she exclaims, “Maddie Ross! I should've known…” Ms. Western speaks into her walkie talkie, requesting the security guard and the nurse be brought immediately to us.
I stand, taking Maddie with me. I get a second to whisper to her, just out of earshot, “Go back to the classroom. Don’t you dare go anywhere else. Wait for me there.” She runs off quietly, avoiding Ms. Western while her back is turned.
The scene is picked up quickly as Johnny is led away by Nurse Granville and Officer Bell. The janitor arrives seconds later with a mop as the blood mixes with the white tile on the floor. Finally, Ms. Western returns her attention to me. “What happened here, Michelle?”
I hesitate, knowing that what I'm about to say could've consequences way beyond my control, “I was walking to the teacher’s lounge for my lunch when I saw a few third graders running and shouting. I followed them and found Maddie Ross and Johnny Dunlap fighting. When I separated them, I sent the other kids back to recess and talked to Maddie. She said it start—”
Ms. Western interjects, uncaring what the rest of the story is, “I don’t want to hear excuses, Michelle. This is Maddie Ross’ third fight this quarter. She's expelled.”
“What!” My head races at her instant judgment, “You can’t expel her. Johnny Dunlap clearly started this by talking about Maddie’s dead mom. There’s obviously something bigger going on here!”
Besides being OCD about things like lines and color-coordinating, I stand up for my students, and I don’t back down. I don’t know much about Maddie Ross, but I know she has a tough life. And being someone who also lost her mom at a young age, I know how hard it is to be ten and motherless. This girl doesn’t deserve swift punishment; she needs understanding and guidance. And I’m not going to back down from this.
But neither is Ms. Western, “Are you questioning my call, Michelle? I'm the one who sets the rules. It’s your job to enforce them. If you can’t do your job properly, I suggest you start looking elsewhere for teaching positions!”
She stamps her feet and clicks off, away from where I stand like stone, unable to move. I take a few deep breaths before heading back to the classroom. Maddie is sitting alone, in her desk. Her messy black hair covers her head as she lays face flat on her desk. I walk slowly towards her and then take a seat at the desk next to her. “Maddie,” I begin slowly, “This is your third fight this quarter, and you really hurt Johnny. Ms. Western wants to talk about expelling you from this school.”
I hear her begin to cry. Her body shakes as she gives up the tough girl act I’ve always known her to have. She sniffles a bit, sucking in air as she lifts her head and looks at me. Her red and swollen eyes looking more pained than Johnny’s, “Please, Miss Springer! You’ve gotta understand. I couldn’t just let him talk shit about my mom!”
I crouch beside her, placing my hand on her back. My voice lowers to a whisper as I say, “I know. I know. But you didn’t have to beat him up so badly. Do you see where that is wrong?”
Maddie shakes her head no. “My daddy would've done the same thing. I seen him do it. You gotta stand up for somethin’, you know!”
A dad that beats people up for talking trash? Maddie has it worse than I can imagine. I stand and walk towards my desk. I slowly and carefully write a note on a piece of blue paper that has my information on the top. When I’m finished, I hand the note to Maddie and say, “I can’t let you stay in school today. Go home, and give this to your dad. Tell him I expect to see him tonight before 7pm. I’ll be waiting.”
“Am… am I bein’ expelled?” she asks, rubbing her nose with the sleeve of her red sweater and coughing back the rest of her emotions.