Jolene’s eyes went wide.“Well, let’s hope the new administrator is a bit more animated than a pinecone.”
She nodded to all of us, then went off to find a seat.
“That woman is …” I shook my head.“She’s something special, isn’t she?”
My daughter Honor’s teacher waved at me, and I waved back.She took a seat in a chair next to my son Austin’s teacher.The front row was obviously reserved for the instructors.
Without anything in the gymnasium changing, an odd hush fell over everyone, and the clunking sound of the big gym door from the vestibule echoed like a gong.Heads all swiveled at the same time as a tall man in dark-wash jeans, a sky-blue polo, and two full sleeves of tattoos came confidently marching across the gym to stand in front of us.His hair was dark, short, and nicely trimmed, and he had a scar extending up from his lip, which meant he was probably born with a cleft palate that was repaired as an infant.
But it was the gentleness and warmth in his brown eyes that really got me.
He smiled warmly at all of us as he took his place in front of a sea of curious parents.
“Welcome, everyone,” he boomed, his voice deep but not raspy.It was more like he was speaking all the way from his toes and using every molecule of oxygen in his lungs.
My chest clenched.
“Thank you so much for indulging me in this meeting.My name is Lennox Paul, and I will be the new principal at San Camanez Elementary.While I understand the circumstances of my predecessor’s departure are somewhat controversial, I’d rather not discuss or dwell on them at all.I am here to facilitate the smoothest transition possible for you and your children.”
Raina elbowed me.“He’s cute.On the young side, but cute.”She glanced past me and Danica toward Gabrielle.“You can give Nay pointers on how to bag a younger guy.”
Gabrielle simply flipped Raina the bird, then sat back in her seat.
“While I may look young to all of you, I want you to know that I am qualified not only to teach, but to be your children’s principal.I have a bachelor’s degree in education from Florida State, as well as a master’s degree in special education from Georgia State.I am also a father myself.I love children and understanding the different ways that they learn.No two children—no twopeople—learn the same way, and it is up to us as administrators and educators to help each individual child reach their full potential by figuring out what makes them tick and absorb the information best.I have taught in both Florida and Georgia in elementary schools, and while this is my first role as a principal, I am very much ready and excited to take on this new challenge.”
“Do you think he’s married?”Raina asked.
“Shhh,” Danica scolded, glaring at our youngest cousin.
Raina rolled her eyes.
I was barely paying attention to them; I was too … mesmerized by the handsome, articulate, educated man in front of us.
His gaze fell directly on me, and my cheeks grew warm.His smile only made them get hotter because it felt like he was smiling right at me.And only at me.
“I believe in full transparency and an open-door policy,” he went on.“My door willalwaysbe open to you and your children.If I have to deal with certain behaviors, I will always bring in an impartial party to act as a witness—like an office administrator or another teacher.Your child will never be singled out or brought into a room without another adult present.”
“What a weird thing to say,” one of the McEvoys murmured.“I mean … that’s … good, I guess.But it’s also weird.”
A hand shot up in the crowd.“Why are you making that part of your campaign promise?”a parent I recognized asked.She and her husband owned a bed-and-breakfast on the north side of the island.
Lennox simply smiled.“I was made aware that my predecessor had a tendency to bring children into rooms without another adult present, shut the door, and threaten them.”
My cousins and I all exchanged knowing looks.Yeah, Otto had done just that to our children.Where did Lennox Paul get his information though?
“And I just want to let you all know that your children’s safety and well-being will always be my absolute number one priority.They shouldn’t dread coming to school.They shouldn’t fear their principal.”He snorted in a cute way.“My daughter, when she was younger, actually said that, ‘A principal is a prince who is your pal.’”Several parents chuckled.“And while I have no royal blood, I do want your children to see me as a friend.As a safe adult they can trust.We will be implementing a soft start in the mornings as well.The bell may ring at eight-thirty, but as long as you get here, that’s what matters.I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to get out the door on time sometimes.Kids are … wonderfully, and annoyingly, unpredictable.Even if they thrive on routine.”
More chuckles in the gym.
“So, just get here when you get here.I’m not going to stand at the front door staring at my watch and tapping my foot.But I will welcome your child inside with a smile and thank them for coming to learn and play.”
Another hand shot up.“What about discipline?”
He smiled again, and this time, there was a flutter in my lower belly that quickly made its way between my legs.I crossed them and squeezed.
“As I’m sure we can all agree, children need boundaries.They thrive in environments with clearly set rules and parameters.And while it is human nature—especially for children—to test those boundaries, we will also make sure they understand that certain behaviors have consequences.Tomorrow morning, I will hold an assembly similar to this.Together, the students, teachers, and I will come up with a School Code of Conduct.Then, every child will be given the opportunity to sign it.I’m a big advocate of second chances, and making every available opportunity a learning one, but for those kids who need a bit more guidance when it comes to emotional regulation, impulse control, and adhering to our code of conduct, I may request a meeting with their parents where we can all get on the same page.But as far asdisciplinegoes …”
Something strange flickered in his eyes for just a brief second.Unless you were studying him the way I was, you would have missed it.But it was almost like a … flinch.
