There was a murmur in the room.
Another parent raised her hand slightly. “My daughter, Sandy, told me something.”
I might need them that night.
Sandy’s mother stood. “She said Lizzie gets called on differently. That you push her harder than anyone else, and it didn’t seem fair.”
Sandy nodded from her seat. “You always criticize my best friend.”
Ms. Lawrence’s composure cracked. “Students don’t always perceive rigor correctly.”
A boy near the window spoke up. “You asked Lizzie stuff we haven’t covered. You don’t do that to me.”
More voices joined in.
“Yeah, you only do that to her.”
“I thought it was weird.”
The room filled with low conversation.
“Lizzie gets called on differently.”
Ms. Lawrence raised her hands. “Stop! Everyone, please gather your things and leave.”
“No one’s leaving,” a firm voice said from the doorway.
We all turned.
Principal Harris stepped forward. She must’ve been standing out of sight.
“I’ve been listening,” she said.
Ms. Lawrence swallowed. “Principal Harris, this is being blown out of proportion.”
“No one’s leaving.”
Harris looked at the parents. “I will be initiating an immediate review of grading records and conduct. Ms. Lawrence, you are suspended effective tomorrow pending investigation.”
The word suspended seemed to echo.
Ms. Lawrence’s eyes widened. “You can’t do that without due process.”
“You’ll have due process,” Principal Harris said. “But not in front of the students.”
The classroom fell silent.
You are suspended.
Lizzie stood frozen beside her desk.
I walked over and put a hand on her shoulder. “You did nothing wrong.”
Ms. Lawrence looked at me then. The confidence was gone. In its place was something closer to fear.
Parents began gathering their children, whispering to one another. Some gave me small nods as they passed.
Sandy’s mother squeezed my arm.
I nodded.
“You did nothing wrong.”
Before Lizzie and I could leave, Principal Harris called out, “Darlene, Ms. Lawrence, please stay.”
