Triumphs and Trials

Byzantine: School Year 2013-2014
The School Year 2013-2014 was fraught with trauma and heartache. My father died on April 28, 2014. It was a horrific year for my sisters and me. It was an equally horrific year for one of my female students.
Byzantine was a brilliant student. She was absolutely gifted. She had one issue; she was tardy for school every day. Her stepfather dropped her off an hour late for class every single day. Her mom had to be at work exceedingly early and she did not want Byzantine to wake up that early or go to before school care. Byzantine did not like me. She thought I was a mean teacher and way too strict. I thought she was a spoiled, truculent little princess who did not know how to accept no for an answer. Later in the year Byzantine’s secret ordeal would be revealed to me and I would learn how truly resilient and courageous this child was.
Byzantine got into a fist fight during the Science lesson. I was busy teaching a lesson on carnivores and herbivores. The next thing I knew Byzantine and another female student were charging each other like two angry lionesses!
They were punching each other, choking each other, and pulling each other’s hair! They were hurling insults and obscenities at each other with fervent energy! They were brawling like two heavyweight prize fighters!
I had to use all the strength in my body to separate the two of them. Byzantine screamed to the top of her lungs that she was never going to let anyone abuse or mistreat her again. I just assumed that she was referring to the young lady she had just fought. I would learn later that her words held a much deeper meaning.
During the month of March in 2014 I would receive an email from the school counselor, Mr. Carnelian. Mr. Carnelian was a soft-spoken man who the teachers and students adored. Mr. Carnelian informed me that I would have to attend a meeting with him and the principal to discuss an extremely sensitive issue regarding Byzantine. While at the meeting, it was revealed to me that Byzantine’s stepfather had been molesting her for at least a year. Her stepfather had been arrested. I was devastated! That poor child suffered the absolute worst kind of betrayal and violation from someone who should have protected and nurtured her.
Byzantine had found the strength to expose her abuser. This child had found the courage to do something many adult women could not do. I now knew what she meant about never allowing anyone to abuse or mistreat her again.
Byzantine and my relationship changed. I would never be her favorite teacher. But we understood each other in a different way and had a newfound respect for each other. I started letting her run errands around the building and she and I would have long talks during recess. I marveled at her toughness.
Late one evening I received a phone call from Mrs. Charcoal, Byzantine’s mother. She asked me if she could come to my classroom to discuss Byzantine’s situation. I told her yes and there was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. What would I say to this woman who was living a nightmare? I would let her take the lead and listen with empathy.
Mrs. Charcoal informed me that the hearing for Byzantine’s stepfather was quickly approaching. She said that the district attorney wanted Byzantine to testify in open court.

Mrs. Charcoal said she felt like Byzantine testifying would only further traumatize her and make her relive the horror of the molestation. I told her to ask the district attorney if Byzantine could testify via videotape. She also said that friends were telling her it would empower Byzantine to face her abuser. I told her that she was Byzantine’s mother, and, in the end, she would know what the best choice was for her daughter. She asked me what I would do if it was my daughter. I told her I truly had no idea what I would do. My last words to Mrs. Charcoal were that Byzantine was young, tough, and resilient. I told her that this one event in her life that did not have to define her entire existence. With therapy and the love and support of her family Byzantine could overcome this tragedy and become a confident, successful woman. Mrs. Charcoal left the room at the end of our conversation. I hope my words comforted her.
As teachers our students become integrated into our lives and woven into our hearts. Our students’ triumphs make our hearts sing. Our students’ tragedies make our hearts weep. The tragedies and the triumphs make the journey and the destination worth it..