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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Teacher (10/26/06)
A Teacher Above and Beyond The Call

Mr. Morias stood on the deck pondering the flickering lights of the city. He was deeply disturbed in his spirit as he thought about thirteen-year-old Rachel, one of his students. She was out there somewhere and he knew she was hurting. He had thought about making an anonymous call to the authorities, but memories of his own encounters with them as a child kept him from it. As long as she continued to come to school every day he felt he could keep an eye on her. He suspected this little girl was being abused, but had no way of knowing for sure. It was a gut instinct kind of thing, something he felt every time he looked into her sad eyes. She never spoke unless spoken to and then answered with nothing more than the few syllables necessary for an appropriate reply. Something about her exuded intellectual potential, but the burdens of her young life were draining all desire to put forth the effort that such potential required for growth. Mr. Morias needed a plan and he needed it fast, as Rachel seemed to be slipping away a little more each day. He looked up into the ebony sky now displaying the most impressive starlight he thought he’d ever seen and he was reminded that the same Lord who was Creator of the universe cared deeply about Rachel’s plight. He closed his eyes and pleaded, “Lord, show me what to do for her. She is Yours and You know what she needs.”

He entered his classroom the next day with excitement in his spirit. The Lord had awakened him during the night and gave him the plan he’d asked for. He felt confident that the Lord not only saw Rachel and knew her situation, but that He had a plan of His own for her life. He knew that being faithful to what the Lord had given him to do would make the difference he so desired to make in her life. As she entered the room that morning, he almost lost his newfound hope when he first looked at her sad countenance, but the Lord reminded him to not be moved by sight.

As the class settled down to the lesson at hand, he approached her desk from behind. Just as he had suspected, she was doodling mindlessly on her paper. He knelt down beside her desk and spoke not unkindly, but with the firmness he knew was necessary. “Listen,” he began, “I don’t know what’s going on in your life and I’m not going to press you to tell me. What I do know is that I have witnessed your God-given potential to write and as long as you are in my class, it’s not going to be wasted. What you do with your life will ultimately be your decision alone regardless of what you might suffer at the hands of others. I have you for one year and for one year I am going to push you. Do you understand that? I am not going to watch you sink as long as you are under my care. Now, write. I want you to give me the best you’ve got starting today.” As he spoke to her, he saw the tears welling up in her eyes. It was all he could do to not throw his arms around her and weep. He smiled warmly and walked to the front of the room. Rachel spent the rest of the class time bent over her desk and appeared to be writing passionately. At the end of the class, she turned in her writing project. He glanced at it and saw that it was at least five pages long. That evening, in the quiet of his study, he began going through his students’ essays and purposefully saved Rachel’s for last. When he finally read her story he leaned back in his chair and let the tears of rejoicing flow freely. Her story was confirmation of what he believed was in her.
In another house miles away from where Mr. Morias lived, Rachel laid in her bed savoring the words her Semantics teacher had spoken to her that day. For the first time in her life she felt someone truly cared. For the first time in her life she felt excited and wanted to give her best. The year was well spent and proved to be a turning point in Rachel’s once barren life.
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This article has been read 1207 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Rhonda Clark
11/02/06
I really like this story. It flows nicely. It needs to be broken up into more paragraphs, but overall, very nice.
Dan Blankenship
11/02/06
Very good. I would follow the advice already given; try to break up a few more of the long paragraphs in order to make the word-blocks into a more reader friendly story.

Other than that, I read the whole thing straight through without hesitation.

Good job. Should be a top contender in this week's challenge.

May God bless.
Sincerely,
Dan Blankenship

Bella Louise
11/03/06
This is extremely good. Is this based on a true story? Your teacher reminded me vividly of my mother, who loves her class, many of whom are refugees, abused children, and future jail-fodder. Excellent portrayal of a sensitive teacher. I loved it.