“I was jointly reported by the parents just because I went to the hospital several times.”
“Senior three is such a crucial year. As the head teacher, you should be on standby 24 hours a day. Would you die if you didn’t go to the hospital?”
“Even if it’s the weekend, what if something happens and we can’t find you? You don’t even have this self – awareness. What kind of head teacher are you!”
“After all, you’re just selfish. Such a person doesn’t deserve to be a teacher!”
I was both angry and shocked.
In the past two years, I’ve painstakingly brought the class with the lowest grades to the first place in the grade. I’ve exhausted myself and got sick all over, but I didn’t even dare to ask for leave, just for fear of affecting the students.
But in the end, I’m accused of being selfish?
And when my students learned that I was reported, they all looked indifferent, as if it had nothing to do with them.
My heart was chilled.
Whoever wants to be this head teacher can do it.
A few months later, these parents stood at my door: “Teacher Yan, please come back.”
1
I was reported.
All the parents in the class jointly complained that I was irresponsible and demanded that the school immediately remove my position as the head teacher and my qualification to teach mathematics.
When the principal told me about this, I felt like I was struck by lightning.
Since I took over this class, I’ve been working hard, putting the students first. I’ve almost given my heart out.
How could the parents say that I’m irresponsible?!
“The parents of your class have a very tough attitude. They also said that if the school doesn’t meet their demands, they will report to the Education Bureau.”
My face turned extremely unpleasant due.
The principal said seriously: “Teacher Yan, what you need to do now is to reflect on yourself. If you really have no problems at all, how could you be collectively reported by the parents?”
This is simply inexplicable!
How did it become my problem?
Just as I was about to refute, the principal impatiently waved his hand.
“All right, go back and wait for the school’s arrangements.”
Coming out of the principal’s office, the more I thought about it, the more depressed I became.
Finally, I couldn’t hold it back and sent a message in the class group.
“Dear parents, since I took on the role of head teacher, I’ve always put the class work first. I can’t say I’ve been completely dedicated, but I’ve been conscientious. If you think there are any omissions in my work, you can communicate with me directly. Unfounded misunderstandings and accusations will really chill the hearts of educators.”
A few minutes later, a message popped up.
Zhao Chengye’s mother: “Misunderstanding? Could we have wronged you? As a head teacher, you go to the hospital every now and then. Do you think it’s appropriate? Who gave you the right? Who gave you the freedom? How can you focus on the students like this? The last semester of senior three is so crucial. Would you die if you didn’t go to the hospital?”
A series of unceremonious questions left me stunned on the spot.
2
Two years of high – intensity work have caused serious problems with my lumbar and cervical spine. I’m in so much pain every night that I can’t sleep.
The doctor strongly advised me to take a long leave to rest.
But it’s already senior three. I’m worried that if the head teacher is changed, the students won’t get used to it.
So I can only take time to go to the hospital for conservative treatment every week.
I’ll think about resting until the students graduate at least.
I never thought in my wildest dreams that the parents would complain about me for this reason.
I replied patiently: “Chengye’s mother, the head teacher is also human. Getting sick is inevitable. And I go to the hospital during private time like weekends, which doesn’t affect the class work.”
Unexpectedly, what the other party said next was even more exasperating.
“Come on! Private time? Where do you get private time? You’re a teacher, a head teacher. You should be on standby 24 hours a day!”
At this time, other parents also came out one after another to parrot.
Hu Mengmeng’s father: “I agree with Chengye’s mother. Since you want to be a head teacher, you should have this awareness. If you can’t do it, what kind of head teacher are you?”
Li Leyao’s father: “Last semester, you took three days off in a row for your wedding. I thought it was inappropriate at that time.”
Song Zixuan’s mother: “We agreed to let you be the head teacher because we thought you were experienced. If we had known you had so many problems, we might as well have arranged a young teacher from the beginning!”
I couldn’t help but argue.
“Dear parents, I do have some health problems, but I’ve never delayed anything in the class because of this. No matter how hard and tiring it was in the past two years, I’ve persisted for the sake of the class. If I really wanted to be more relaxed, I could have resigned as the head teacher.”
Zhao Chengye’s mother said: “Come on! You sound so high – and – mighty. It’s all for the money. Everyone knows that the head teacher’s salary is higher than that of other teachers.”
3
My blood pressure soared immediately.
At this moment, I even wanted to curse.
It’s true that the head teacher can get a little more money than an ordinary teacher.
One hundred yuan more per semester.
Can you believe it?
Get up earlier than a rooster, go to bed later than a dog.
Seventeen or eighteen hours a day at school, endless head – teacher meetings, endless class affairs to deal with, endless assessment assignments to write, endless parent opinions to reply to, and endless feedback summaries on weekends and holidays.
The mobile phone is on 24 hours a day to deal with all kinds of emergencies at any time.
In conclusion, the workload of the head teacher is more than ten times that of other teachers.
Do I work so hard just for that one hundred yuan?
Is it worth it?
The attacks on me in the class group continued.
“The head teacher not only has a high salary but also has more chances of getting awards and evaluations. There are so many benefits!”
“No wonder you’re reluctant to leave the head – teacher position even when you’re sick… Hehe, I’m really convinced.”
“Damn it, if you want to make money, don’t delay our children! Do we owe you?”
“Get out of here!”
I was so angry that I couldn’t speak.
If I wanted to make money, I would have left long ago.
A private high school next door once offered me double the salary to poach me, but I declined politely.
For what?
Isn’t it for the students! For their precious children!
Teacher Luo, who teaches English, couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Teacher Yan has been insisting on working despite being ill for the sake of the students. Instead of showing understanding, how can you say such ugly things to him? Isn’t the students’ performance enough to prove his dedication?”
In the two years I led the class, the class that originally had the lowest grades rushed to the first place in the grade.
This is an undeniable fact.
There was a brief silence in the group.
One parent suddenly said: “That’s the result of the children’s own efforts. It would be the same no matter which teacher taught them. It has nothing to do with you.”
Immediately, there was another round of parrot in the group.
“Yeah, my son studies until twelve o’clock every day. With such hard work, can his grades be bad?”
“The exercise books my daughter has done are almost as tall as a person!”
“You really know how to take credit for yourself.”
4
I was so angry that my cervical spine hurt.
The students do work hard, but it’s the study habits I forced them to develop.
To put it bluntly, the students in Class 6 have a poor foundation and lack initiative in learning. If they were taught by a teacher with a little less sense of responsibility or ability, they definitely couldn’t be led.
In the past two years, I’ve stayed up countless nights to design personalized teaching plans suitable for the students in our class.
I gave up my daily rest time to provide one – on – one tutoring to the students. I always dealt with dinner with a piece of bread and a bottle of water.
I gave free tutoring to the students at home on weekends and holidays.
I paid for all kinds of learning materials and prizes for the students out of my own pocket.
I dare say that I’ve been more dedicated than any other teacher in the school.
But now these parents say that the students’ grades have nothing to do with me.
Nothing to do with me!
I said angrily: “Since everyone thinks that the students’ grades depend entirely on themselves, then what impact can my doing my own things after work have on them?”
The parents retorted all at once.
“What, is it enough for students to just look at their grades? Let me ask you, what if my child doesn’t have enough to eat at school? What if they forget to drink water? What if they catch a cold because they wear too little clothes? What if they don’t feel well?”
“The children are already tired enough from studying. The head teacher should be responsible for things like cleaning.”
“The evening self – study ends too late. In my opinion, the head teacher should be responsible for sending the students home.”
Teacher Luo sent me a message.
“These parents seem to be crazy. Is the head teacher the students’ nanny?”
Looking at the constantly jumping messages in the group, my temples throbbed.
I took a deep breath.
With my last bit of patience, I said sincerely:
“Dear parents, there are less than half a year until the college entrance examination. I earnestly ask you to believe me and give me a chance. I promise that I will do my best to fulfill my duties as the head teacher.”
Zhao Chengye’s mother’s words instantly broke me down.
“You’re really thick – skinned. You’re not thinking of taking revenge later and making things difficult for our children, are you?”
Zhao Chengye’s mother’s words instantly broke me down.
Fine, fine, fine.
I won’t be this head teacher anymore!
5
I spent several months making second – round and third – round review plans for all the students in the class.
There were forty – five in total, and each one was different.
Although I couldn’t continue to lead this class, I still hoped to fulfill my last responsibility and show my sincere feelings before leaving.
During the noon self – study, I walked into the classroom, and immediately a series of complaints sounded.
“Damn, what kind of test papers are these? There’s such a thick stack.”
“I open my eyes every day and it’s all about studying. I’m so tired. I’m really going to throw up from studying.”
“He’s going to take up the self – study again…”
These little brats.
What’s wrong with being a little tired?
Which senior – three student isn’t tired?
Just as I was about to speak, Zhao Chengye suddenly asked me loudly: “Teacher Yan, if we all get into a first – tier university, can you get hundreds of thousands of yuan in rewards?”
I didn’t react for a moment.
“What?”
“Otherwise, why do you push us so hard every day? There must be some benefits for you. But you won’t be teaching us soon. I think you’d better not waste your efforts.”
My face immediately fell.
Zhao Chengye is a loudmouth.
If he knows something, the whole class must know it.
I looked down, and everyone’s face showed either impatience or indifference.
That is to say, knowing that I was reported by their parents and that I, their head teacher for two years, was leaving, not a single person showed any reluctance or sadness.
What’s more unacceptable is that my students actually think that I make them study hard for my own benefit!
At that moment, I didn’t know how to describe my feelings.
I said coldly: “Oh, then you continue with the self – study.”
The moment I walked out, cheers rang out in the classroom.
“Whoo – hoo, the King of Hell is gone!”
“So are we free from now on?”
“Finally, we don’t have to be forced to write those test papers every day. Damn, I even have nightmares about him at night, you know!”
6
My heart was so cold.
I was so very upset that I didn’t sleep well all night.
The school was very fast. The candidate for the new head teacher was decided the next day.
It was selected according to the requirements of those parents.
Single and unmarried.
Honest in nature.
And the person lives in the school’s staff dormitory, truly being at school 24 hours a day.
The class group became lively again.
Zhao Chengye’s mother said: “Dear parents, although Teacher Meng is a bit younger, I’ve privately communicated with her, and she promised to take good care of our children.”
“This time, it’s really hard work for Chengye’s mother, running around for the top priority of our class.”
“Why are you being polite to me? It’s all for the children!”
“That’s right, that’s right!”
I didn’t want to stay in the group for a moment longer. After handing over the work to the new head teacher, the first thing I did was to leave the group.
Then I submitted my resignation to the school.
The leader was quite dissatisfied: “Teacher Yan, you’re not a naive young person. Even if you’re not wrong in this matter, is it necessary to threaten the school with resignation? Which teacher doesn’t suffer some grievances? To put it bluntly, even if the parents beat you today, you have to endure it!”
When two people disagree, even a single word is too much.
I didn’t explain much and firmly completed the resignation procedures.
When I left, not a single person in the class came to see me off.
I might as well have fed my sincerity to the dogs in the past two years.
During the rest days, I had a minimally invasive surgery. I woke up naturally every day, ate three meals on time, and read books and watched dramas in my free time. Not only did all my minor ailments disappear, but I also gained more than ten pounds in less than a month.
A few days after I left, it happened to be the first mock exam for senior three.
Class 6 of senior three was still the first in the grade.
Several parents who I forgot to delete as friends in the WeChat Moments posted on their Moments.
“Facts have proved that the children’s excellence is entirely due to themselves! It has nothing to do with others!”</p>
“I was completely unperturbed. No one knew those students better than I did. Without internal drive, they could only accept passive learning. Let’s wait and see what happens without me, the head teacher who dragged them along, exhausted. “
After resting for half a month, Mingde Middle School, which had previously wanted to recruit me, called me.
“Teacher Yan, as long as you’re willing to come, we’ll welcome you at any time!”
They still promised to offer me double the salary I had before.
Before going, I put forward a request: I definitely would not be a head teacher.
As a subject teacher, I wouldn’t have to worry about endless class management, maintain home – school relationships, face all kinds of strange people and things, or worry about having no private space at all.
By focusing only on my teaching, I wouldn’t feel sad because I invested my feelings but got no response.
“Teacher Yan, your coming really helps us a lot. The previous math teacher is on maternity leave, and we’ve been worried about it.”
The head teacher of the new class said to me happily.
I was still in charge of a graduating class. After the head teacher, Teacher Li, added me to the class group of Class 2, Senior 3, I greeted them in a business – like manner.
Unexpectedly, the parents got excited.
“Are you the Teacher Yan from No.1 Middle School?”
“Teacher Yan, I’ve watched your math open – class. It was profound yet easy to understand, vivid and interesting. You taught really well!”
“I was quite anxious before, but now that Teacher Yan is going to teach our class math, I’m not worried at all!”
I responded politely:
“Thank you all parents for your affirmation. I’ll do my best to teach the math of our class well. If you have any comments or suggestions on my teaching, you can communicate with me at any time.”
I thought someone would add me as a friend. In the class I used to teach, parents would add all subject teachers, just to contact the teachers at any time, not caring about things like boundaries at all.
But surprisingly, no parent in this group added me for a private chat.
8
“Teacher Yan is too polite. You’re a professional, and we just need to trust you!”
One parent said again: “Teacher Yan has just arrived and must have a lot of things to do. Let’s not disturb Teacher Yan.”
“Yes, yes, I was really too excited and couldn’t control myself for a moment.”
“Teacher Yan, you go ahead and get busy.”
Perhaps because the private school was already highly competitive, the students were very active. I quickly adapted to the work in the new environment.
At No.1 Middle School, the new head teacher of Class 6, Senior 3, didn’t seem to be going smoothly either.
Less than a month after taking office, like me, she was also reported by the parents.
The reason for the report was ridiculous: the teacher didn’t answer the parents’ calls.
Teacher Luo was so angry when relaying this to me that she could hardly speak clearly.
“Just because she didn’t answer the phone, the parent directly went to the school and slapped Teacher Meng!”
I was shocked.
They actually resorted to violence?
“Teacher Meng was in class. How could she answer the phone? And do you know why the parent called? Just to ask the teacher to recharge his son’s meal card! My goodness, how old is his son! Doesn’t he have hands?”
I was silent.
It was something those parents could do. When I was there, I had to be online on WeChat 24 hours a day and couldn’t not answer calls even in the middle of the night.
Whether the students didn’t have enough to eat at school, drank less water, or even if the collar of their clothes was dirty, they would come to me.
Parents with children living in the school would even ask me if I could help wash their children’s clothes, with the reason that their children had never washed clothes at home.
Now that I think about it, maybe it was because I refused many unreasonable requests that those parents had long been dissatisfied with me.
The parent who hit the teacher was none other than Zhao Chengye’s mother.
Being slapped in front of the whole class by the parent, and not only did the parent not apologize, but also filed a report against her.
No one could accept this. Teacher Meng immediately said she wouldn’t do it anymore.
I quickly asked: “What’s the school’s attitude?”
9
When their own teacher was beaten for no reason, the school should at least uphold justice, right?
Speaking of this, Teacher Luo got even angrier.
“Don’t mention it. The school now doesn’t allow Teacher Meng to call the police and also asks her to reflect on her own problems, saying that if she had handled the student’s problems in a timely manner, things wouldn’t have developed to this point. I’m so angry!”
It was another case of asking the teacher to reflect…
Was this even human talk?
“Are they crazy?”
“Aren’t they just crazy!”
Teacher Luo said indignantly: “If they don’t give Teacher Meng an explanation for this matter, we subject teachers will also be disheartened. “
Finally, she added: “Teacher Yan, I thought it was unnecessary for you to leave at first. But now I think you were wise. With such crazy parents and such a disgusting school, I really don’t want to work here anymore.”
It’s said that teaching is a decent and glamorous profession.
But how could outsiders know the hardships and bitterness of teachers?
The matter of Teacher Meng being slapped finally ended with the school transferring her to teach in Grade 10.
Until the end, she didn’t receive an apology from Zhao Chengye’s mother.
After forcing away two head teachers in a row, teachers in No.1 Middle School shunned Class 6, Senior 3. No one dared to take on this hot potato.
Without a head teacher, those parents started to make trouble again.
They threatened that if the school didn’t arrange a new teacher, they would report to the Education Bureau, call the mayor’s hotline, and even find the media to expose it.
The school leaders had no choice but to re – employ a retired old teacher.
Although the parents were not very satisfied, they had to accept it because there had to be someone to teach the students.
Didn’t they think that changing the head teacher one after another near the college entrance examination would definitely have an impact on the students? Were they that confident in their own children?
On my side, without annoying trivial matters and annoying people, my working state was a hundred times better than before.
10
Now it was the second – round review stage.
The first round was to lay the foundation, and the second round was to check for deficiencies and fill in the gaps, and consolidate again.
I emphasized to the students: “I only need you to do two things: First, keep a calm mind. Whether your first – mock exam results are good or bad, high or low, don’t let them affect your review progress. Second, ensure enough rest, but use all the rest of the time for learning.”
“As for how to make a review plan, check for deficiencies and fill in the gaps, break through key points, and manage time, I can help you with these methods or skills – as long as you’re willing to trust me.”
A student raised his hand: “Teacher Yan, there are less than four months left. Can someone like me with unsatisfactory grades still make a comeback?”
I smiled.
“Admittedly, saying yes might encourage some of you. But I don’t like to talk about such uncertain things. I only care about methodology. Comparing the college entrance examination to the finish line of a marathon, I can help you walk on the right path and then help you walk faster. Effort is the least praise – worthy advantage, not even an advantage. But strategies, plans, rhythms, inspections, and feedback are the keys to success.”
After saying this, I saw the eyes of the students below light up instantly.
The days when teachers and students worked together passed quickly, and it was time for the second – mock exam for senior – three students in the city.
After the results came out, the average math score of our class increased by more than 20 points compared to the first – mock exam.
Not only in math, but other subjects also improved more or less.
The methodology I taught the students was actually a set of general underlying logic that could be applied to any subject.
The whole class was overjoyed.
The parents were even more overjoyed and kept thanking me.
11
Some even wanted to send me flowers and gifts.
I quickly declined.
A parent reminded: “This will cause trouble for Teacher Yan. Let’s forget it. As parents, the best way to help our children is to cooperate with and trust the teacher with peace of mind.”
“Yes! The children are working hard in review, but I think the teacher is even more hard – working!”
“Teacher Yan should also pay more attention to rest.”
At No.1 Middle School, however, there was a cold – shock in this mock exam.
Class 6, Senior 3, had been ranking first in the grade since Grade 11.
But this time, it dropped to the third place.
Teacher Luo complained to me: “As soon as you left, these students became like wild horses running wild. Their learning attitude became lax, and the classroom discipline got worse and worse. Teacher Meng and the new head teacher couldn’t control them and didn’t pay much attention to discipline. No wonder their grades declined. I really don’t understand. They’re already in senior three, but they’re still like this. Are they studying for the teachers?”
I had expected this result when I left.
If it weren’t for my strict requirements and my selfless dedication to them in the past two years, how could they have counter – attacked from the bottom to the top?
But in the end, I didn’t get any gratitude, only the title of “King of Hell”.
They were really a group of ungrateful people.
Now that no one was managing them, and with the chaos caused by changing several head teachers in a row, it was inevitable that their studies would be affected.
The students didn’t think much of the slight decline in their grades.
But those parents couldn’t accept it and started to demand a change of head teacher again.
“What kind of excellent teacher is this? He’s only been here a few days and has already made our children’s grades decline!”
“I said this old man was no good from the beginning. What kind of rubbish are they stuffing into our class! This is not a trash can!”
“If you can’t do it, don’t do it. You’re misleading the students. Damn it!”
The old teacher, who had taught for decades, had never met such unreasonable parents who spoke worse than farting. He almost got a hypertension attack.
“I can’t teach your class. Find someone else!”
These parents didn’t think that if it weren’t to save the situation, the old teacher could have enjoyed a comfortable retirement at home. But unexpectedly, he was scolded severely by these crazy people.
Now, another head teacher was driven away.
With the previous three examples including me, no one was willing to take over Class 6, Senior 3 anymore.
After all, no one was stupid enough to jump into a fire pit knowingly.
The school leaders were almost driven crazy.
Those parents then thought of me again.
“If it really doesn’t work, call Teacher Yan back and let him improve the children’s grades.”
Zhao Chengye’s mother called me.
As soon as I answered, she said straightforwardly: “We, all the parents in the class, have discussed and decided to let you come back.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Dear parent, have you forgotten that I’ve already left my job and am no longer a teacher at No.1 Middle School?”
The person on the other end of the phone said in a matter – of – fact tone: “So what if you left? You can come back through recruitment again. I know you’re at Mingde now. What’s so good about a private school? It doesn’t even have a formal establishment.”
Are you kidding me?
Was I crazy?
I firmly refused: “Sorry, I have no intention of going back. Even if I were to go back, I definitely wouldn’t teach your class again.”
Zhao Chengye’s mother immediately got angry: “I’ve given you a way out. What else do you want? You can’t still be holding a grudge just because we reported you, right? How can you be so petty!”
There was noise on the other end of the phone.
Vaguely, I could hear someone complaining.
“It’s all his fault that things have come to this. Why shouldn’t he agree?”
“It’s because the private school offers a higher salary. He’s really disgusting, still for the money!”
“Don’t be ungrateful! Who does he think he is?”
Hehe.
Until now, these parents still didn’t think they were wrong and tried to “grant” me a chance to go back in a condescending manner.
Since I didn’t want to, they found another reason to judge me.
13
I cursed “crazy” and hung up the phone.
There were less than two months until the college entrance examination, and the review had entered the final sprint stage.
I really didn’t have time to get angry with such meaningless people.
In a blink of an eye, another month passed.
It was time for the last mock exam before the college entrance examination.
After the results came out, the average score of our class increased by a full 60 points compared to the first – mock exam.
When I was celebrating with the students, Teacher Luo sent me a message.
“Crazy, crazy. The parents of Class 6 are going to eat people!”
Zhao Chengye’s mother took the lead, and dozens of parents almost broke down the door of the principal’s office, insisting that there was a problem with the mock – exam results and demanding that the school re – mark the papers immediately.
This was really eye – opening.
I had never seen parents making a big fuss at school because their children’s exam results were poor.
And it was an entire class.
Teacher Luo sent me a video.
In the video, Zhao Chengye’s mother looked furious, blocking the door of the office and sternly questioning: “Our Class 6 has always been the first in grades. Even if there are fluctuations, it’s absolutely impossible to become the last! Who would believe that there’s no problem with these results? Are you deliberately targeting Class 6, Senior 3? You must give us an explanation today!”
A group of people stood behind her, shouting in unison: “Yes! You must give us an explanation!”
The principal seemed to be trying his best to endure.
“Dear parents, I’ll say it again. The papers are marked by computer, and the teachers can’t see the personal information of the candidates. Moreover, we have a double – marking system. Two teachers mark the papers simultaneously, and the computer automatically generates the combined score. There’s no such thing as targeting as you said!”
Zhao Chengye’s mother almost spat in the principal’s face.
“You’re talking nonsense! You’re definitely targeting us. It’s revenge!”
“I ask you, what’s the benefit of you dealing with your own students? We just want to change the head teacher for the sake of our children. Is there anything wrong with that? Ah? Is there anything wrong? Don’t you have children? Do you understand the feelings of being a parent?”
“There’s less than a month until the college entrance examination. Now that the children see these results, their mentality has collapsed! Do you know how big a blow this is to them?”
Other parents were also in a rage, demanding that the school immediately meet their demands. In the chaos, the principal’s glasses were knocked off, and the few strands of hair on his head were pulled out by someone, completely solving his “Mediterranean” problem. The principal roared, “Call 911! Call the police!”
14
Finally, under the witness of the police, the school retrieved the monitoring video of the teachers marking the papers.
There was no problem with the marking process. But those parents were still not satisfied, so they randomly selected about ten papers from Class 6, Senior 3, and marked them manually on the spot.
The scores were almost the same. The fact was that the scores of Class 6, Senior 3, were at the bottom. Several parents couldn’t hold back and burst into tears on the spot.
A farce that shocked the whole school and even the middle schools in the city finally came to an end.
Teacher Luo still sounded scared when talking about it, “Teacher Yan, I was really scared today. What if those parents got angry and took it out on us subject teachers? When they left today, they said they were going to report to the Education Bureau. I’m really fed up. They only know how to report all day long!”
It turned out that since the third head teacher was driven away, there had been no head teacher in Class 6.
The class affairs were distributed among the subject teachers, and the math classes were taught by teachers from other classes on a rotating basis.
The class management was chaotic, not to mention that the teaching progress of math was also in a mess.
The students were really pitiful. But I didn’t feel any sympathy for them now. When I got home at night, I was shocked by the dark crowd at the door. They were all familiar faces.
“Teacher Yan! Please come back quickly!”
“Teacher Yan, we were wrong before. We shouldn’t have reported you, and we definitely shouldn’t have driven you away!”
“Teacher Yan, we apologize to you. It was our fault!”
“The children are all in a panic now. Only you can help them!”
Everyone looked at me with eagerness in their eyes and pleaded in their tones. They seemed to be a different group of people from those who had cursed me back then. I laughed ironically, “Sorry, I’m not a teacher at No.1 Middle School anymore. I can’t help you.” Zhao Chengye’s mother squeezed out from the crowd, carrying full gifts in both hands.
“Teacher Yan, we know it’s not easy for you to come back from Mingde. So all of us parents have come up with a good idea. You resign from Mingde. No matter how much salary they offer you, we parents will give you an extra three thousand yuan! But you must promise to spend all the time in this month tutoring the students.”
15
Resign? Just to teach your children for one month? I was really convinced by the way these people thought. How could they have the nerve to say that? And just three thousand yuan? Who did they look down on? Seeing that I didn’t speak, Zhao Chengye’s mother tried to morally blackmail me again.
“Teacher Yan, everyone has a heart. You surely can’t bear to see the children’s three – year efforts go to waste, right? You’ve led the students in Class 6 for so long. Now that the children’s grades have dropped so suddenly, you should be responsible to the end!”
I sneered in my heart. When they drove me away, they said I was thick – skinned. Now that they were in a desperate situation, they remembered to ask me to be responsible?
I said lightly, “That’s not right. You clearly said that the students’ good grades were due to their own excellence and had nothing to do with me. Why should I be responsible when their grades drop?”
Hu Mengmeng’s father quickly forced a smile at me, “Teacher Yan, I was talking nonsense. Please don’t take it to heart! The students’ previous progress was all thanks to your careful teaching!”
“Yeah, I remember Teacher Yan came to school the earliest and left the latest every day.”
“Not only that, but he also gave free tutoring to the children at home on weekends. Where can we find such a responsible teacher now?”
“Mainly, Teacher Yan’s teaching method is effective. He’s enthusiastic and patient.”
Oh, so you weren’t blind after all. I said expressionlessly, “But I have to go to the hospital from time to time now. In this state, I’m afraid I’ll mislead the students.”
“It doesn’t matter! It’s normal to go to the hospital when you’re sick!”
“I’m going to be a head teacher in Mingde next semester. The head teacher gets more money than other teachers. I can’t bear to leave.”
A group of adults seemed to remember something. They were ashamed and embarrassed. It was a long time before someone said, “Teacher Yan, the head – teacher subsidy in No.1 Middle School is only one hundred yuan. Mingde surely can’t be much better. Please stop talking. We were wrong. We were so mean before.” I nodded. Everyone thought I was going to agree and showed joy on their faces.
16
I said slowly, “You’re indeed wrong, and you’ve caused me a lot of trouble and harm. So I accept your apology today. Now, please go back. I need to rest.” The parents became anxious immediately.
“Teacher Yan, you haven’t said anything about tutoring the children yet!”
“About that – sorry, find someone else. I have no obligation, nor am I interested.”
After saying that, I closed the door. Immediately, a series of curses came from outside. The people who had just bowed and apologized to me performed an amazing face – change. After cursing me, these people started to blame each other.
“Zhao Chengye’s mother, look at what you’ve done! I said there was no need to report in the first place. Now what should we do?”
“As long as the teacher can ensure the students’ grades are stable, let him go to the hospital if he wants to! He didn’t go during class!”
“I’m really scared now. My daughter could always score 500 points before, but this time she only got over 400. What should I do?”
Zhao Chengye’s mother was so angry that she jumped up and down, and her roar almost lifted the roof.
“Are you all crazy? You all didn’t hold back when scolding in the group at that time. Now that you regret it, you blame me?”
Others shouted even louder, “What are you shouting for? You said Teacher Yan was irresponsible, in poor health, and even said he was thick – skinned. Have you forgotten? Reporting, hitting people, and driving away teachers, which thing wasn’t led by you!”
“And your stupid son! If it weren’t for him talking nonsense in class, at least the children could still use the review materials Teacher Yan compiled before!”
“Your son is the stupid one! Bitch, I’ll tear your mouth apart!”
“Hey, hey, don’t fight!”
It was in chaos outside immediately. I directly called the security guards and drove them all away.
I thought this matter was over. But when I got to school the next day, I found out that I was reported again.
17
This time it was an anonymous report, accusing me of faking my entry – physical – examination results, saying that I had hepatitis and Helicobacter pylori, and demanding that the school immediately dismiss me for the health of the students.
I was really laugh or cry. Using my toes, I could tell who did this with such a vicious and strange reason for reporting.
The team leader said seriously, “Teacher Yan, don’t worry. The school won’t believe such irresponsible reports. We will definitely stand by our teachers.”
I nodded. But I still took the initiative to say that I was willing to cooperate with the school’s investigation and had no problem with re – taking the physical examination.
The parents of Class 2 somehow heard about this. They were all furious. But the object of their anger wasn’t me, but the person who reported.
“Teacher Yan, please don’t misunderstand. This definitely wasn’t done by the parents in our class.”
“Yeah, as soon as Teacher Yan came, the children’s grades improved so much. We’re too happy to let you go!”
“It must be someone who’s jealous!”
“Damn it, if I find out who that bastard is, I won’t let him go!”
“Teacher Yan, you can rest assured to teach. Don’t be affected by these things. We definitely believe in you!”
It would be a lie to say I wasn’t touched. The trust and understanding from the parents gave me important spiritual support. The harm caused by those extreme parents in No.1 Middle School was gradually healed. The students got along with me more and more harmoniously. My office was crowded with students asking questions every day. Everyone knew I had poor health and often forgot to eat when I was busy.
There were always some small gifts on my desk from time to time. Sometimes it was a small card with the words “Teacher Yan, remember to have lunch~” written on it. Sometimes it was chocolate. Sometimes it was a few throat – moistening candies. The things weren’t valuable, but the sentiment was profound…
I could only pay more attention in return to live up to this trust. On the day of the college entrance examination, I accompanied the students outside the examination room with the head teacher. Suddenly, I saw Zhao Chengye. He walked in front with an unhappy face. And the woman beside him, chattering and scolding with her hands on her hips, was none other than his mother.
18
“You little brat, who are you showing that dead – face to! What do you mean you don’t want to take the exam anymore! What nonsense are you talking! Do you know how much money your mother spent on finding a famous teacher to tutor you this month? Two hundred thousand yuan! The others in your class spent at most a few tens of thousands. Can you be worthy of me if you don’t take the exam?!”
This woman’s voice was so loud that people around turned to look. Zhao Chengye was so embarrassed that he said, “Mom, can you keep your voice down?”
“Cut the crap! You good – for – nothing! Go into the examination room and take the exam well! If you say one more discouraging word, I’ll break your legs!” I was shocked when I heard this. What famous teacher, charging two hundred thousand yuan? I sent a message to Teacher Luo, asking her what was going on.
“After the third – mock exam, few students in the class came to class. They all went out for tutoring. But there were less than a month left, you know. What could they achieve by going to those full – time tutoring classes?”
“As for Zhao Chengye, I heard that his mother found a teacher who could predict the exam questions. The fee was ridiculously high. I don’t know if it’s true or not.”
I sat in the corner, glanced at Zhao Chengye’s mother, who was anxious not far away, and said lightly, “This family has obviously been cheated.”
Half a month later, the college – entrance – examination results came out. In Class 2, Senior 3, of Mingde Middle School, all fifty students passed the first – tier – university line, and more than half of them scored over 600 points.
The students all played to their best levels.
The class group was flooding the screen with thanks from the parents.
In Class 6, Senior 3, of No.1 Middle School, only about ten students passed the first – tier – university line. Most of their scores were even worse than those in the third – mock exam.
On the way to the school to help the students fill in their college application forms, I met the students from No.1 Middle School. Their faces were all gloomy. When they saw me, they were too guilty to look me in the eye and hurried away with their heads down.
Zhao Chengye and his mother were indeed cheated. They not only lost two hundred thousand yuan in vain but also wasted the precious last – month review time because of being cheated by the swindler.
Zhao Chengye only got over 300 points and couldn’t even get into a second – tier university.
19
When I was on vacation in Sanya, I received a call from Teacher Luo.
“Teacher Yan, I’ve also resigned, haha!”
“Ah?”
“The students in Class 6, Senior 3, all failed the college entrance examination this time. The parents reported all of us subject teachers. The stupid principal said we were all responsible, asked us to reflect, and even asked us to apologize to the parents. What the hell! Are teachers some kind of low – class people? I won’t reflect, and I won’t apologize! I quit!”
“Ah…”
I really didn’t expect that even after graduation, those parents were still reporting.
“Later, the subject teachers got angry and jointly reported the school to the Education Bureau! Forcing teachers to work overtime during holidays, delaying the payment of bonuses, unfair evaluation of professional titles… Everyone had endured for too long. Now it’s the principal’s turn to apologize to everyone. Serves him right!”
I felt deeply touched. How many teachers, with the enthusiasm for teaching and educating people, have to face a heavy and complex educational environment and lose their original intentions in the process of being worn down. I hope society can give teachers more understanding and support, so that teaching and educating people can return to their essence.
