Xavier's School
The day is moist with humidity, vaguely sticky, somewhat unpleasantly hot. Within a mostly cool apartment in Durham, New Hampshire, a twenty-year-old air conditioner - which claims to be energy efficient - makes unhealthy clunking noises before being clicked off. A fair-skinned woman paces over towards an aged side table and exchanges a condensation slick container of Ben & Jerry's Half Baked for a cordless phone. Nerves are soothed through a sigh as Eileen wiggles the mouse of her laptop, rousing it from slumber and presenting a neatly formulated list of numbers and details. The 'talk' button is pressed, then the next number is dialed: Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
Xavier's School has many numbers. Some go to dorm rooms, some go to faculty rooms. Some go to no rooms at all, but hunt down pagers instead. This one, however, causes a phone to ring within the temporary screening of folding dividers that's formed the Headmistress' Office until contractors can start work. "Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters," comes the answer, as another cordless phone finds another woman's hand, and Jean Grey sets down the croissandwich she's been trying to remember to eat. "Dr. Grey speaking."
"Hello, Doctor Grey!" Eileen's alto voice sounds either pleased or surprised that there was an answer to the call, perhaps both. "My name is Eileen McEwan," she begins, practiced, as she eases into the couch where her laptop rests, bringing up her resume at the same moment as if to remember pertinent information about herself. "I've been looking through private schools throughout the northern east coast, and your website caught my attention. I'm a teacher, you see, and was wondering if you had any current positions open." A pause, slightly. "In science," she specifies.
"In science," echoes from the other end of the line. Jean sounds thoughtful rather than outright dismissive, so the start is promising, at least. The sounds of tapping keys on another laptop herald Jean's even more thoughtful review of "Well, we do have a rather small staff. Another science teacher would allow some of us to get back to our research -- what's your background, Ms. McEwan?"
Eileen certainly perks, the excitement encouraging the straightening of her back leaping into her voice as well. "Mmm, though a small staff typically means a small student body, and I enjoy maintaining close relationships with my students." She winces after the words, though the action is not vocalized. "I have obtained my Masters at the University of New Hampshire - B.S. in wildlife management and biology, then education in grad school. I've been working here with Jerry Houston for the past five years. If you'd like, Doctor Grey, I could email you my resume."
"Resume and C.V. would be good," Jean confirms automatically. "D-R-grey at x-dash-school dot edu." But curiosity soon overcomes the detachment of procedure and protocol, and Jean has to ask "So... what makes you want to leave UNH to teach high school students? Although I admit some of them certainly count as wildlife, and they're obsessed with the biology of the opposite sex."
The muted click of a keyboard accompanies the giving of the email address, and Eileen worries at her bottom lip, teeth rolling the skin about. Soft laughter, not simply polite humor, follows the question. "Frankly, I enjoy the younger student base - they keep me young with their manic personalities. So much changes and occurs during those years that it's wonderful to see them develop and find themselves. And I enjoy being a counselor. But... UNH." A sigh enters here, quiet and pensive. "New Hampshire is where I've lived all my life. I'm looking to broaden my horizons."
"I'm.. fairly sure Xavier's could help with that," is Jean's reply, dry and with unexplained humour as she casts a glance over her shoulder out the bay window behind her. A trio of the younger students are busy playing a version of tetherball that involves blasting the longsuffering ball with various mutant powers to make it swing. "Now, assuming your C.V. and resume check out, I'll of course want to conduct an in-person interview. Are you able to travel, at all?"
Eileen has achieved this position before, though it's ended in a dead-end. Still, this does not hinder excitement at the prospect of an interview. "Oh, yes! I'm able to travel. I've been to New York City twice before - though I understand you're an hour away." A considering pause, then: "Doctor Grey, might I ask you a question? One thing that attracted me to Xavier's was the name. What does the 'Gifted' entail?"
"It can mean a lot of things," is Jean's reply, of the smooth non-answer variety. "Intellectually gifted, physically, musically, artistically... in some way, all of our children are exceptional in at least one area. We try to foster an environment where they can learn to master those," There's a pause, before Jean settles on "Unique talents," as a proper description. "I'd be happy to answer that question in proper detail when we're not on an open line and long distance charges, though."
"Of course. It sounds wonderful." Eileen's voice has dropped to a wistful tone, though continues back into professionalism. "Well, thank you for your time, Doctor Grey. I'll send off my information directly and look forward to hearing from you again. Take care."
"I'll email you my schedule," Jean promises. "I highly doubt there's going to be anything in your resume that will make an interview a no-go. Take care, Ms. McEwen."
With this, the 'talk' button is pressed again. Not a moment later, Eileen releases an enthused little squeal and claps her hands together. Fingers are quick to release their grip to take back up the pint of ice cream, and the laptop is turned back to. There is emailing to be done.
Date: Sun, 02 July 2006 16:29:27
From: "Eileen" <"eileen.mcewan@unh.edu">
To: "Jerry" <"jerry.houston@unh.edu">
Subject: Success? (I hope!)
Hey Jerry,
I think I've got a pretty good lead! I've been doing what I discussed with you - trying to contact private schools that catch my eye. Got a pretty good list going right now, mostly schools in Vermont and scattering through New York. Have you ever been to upstate New York? It's gorgeous up there.
Anyway, I've called a few but they've been pretty uptight, surprisingly the ones in Vermont rather than New York. I thought Vermont was filled with hippies (private schools, ugh)! But today I tried a place an hour from NYC called Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. It was the 'gifted' that intrigued me, put it closer to the top of the list even if the pictures of the place on their website look a little prissy and pompous (http://www.x-school.edu). Talked with a nice sounding woman, though. Dr. Grey. She said the 'gifted' stands for physically, intellectually, and artistically. I like that she said artisitically, though I guess that doesn't mean it /isn't/ a prissy place.
I hope I'll be able to find out! The call ended on a good note, talking about interviews. I know UNH will keep me, but... Well, you know why I feel like moving on.
Keep in touch, old man. ;) I need to review my info. Take care!
~ Eileen
Date: Sun, 02 July 2006 17:34:27
From: "Eileen" <"eileen.mcewan@unh.edu">
To: "Dr. Grey" <"drgrey@x-school.edu">
Subject: Eileen McEwan - Resume and CV
Dr. Grey,
It was a pleasure talking with you today on the subject of a potential teaching position at Xavier's School. Enclosed you'll find the requested documents - my resume and CV.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Eileen McEwan
< 07-02-06 Eileen McEwan Resume.doc >
< 07-02-06 Eileen McEwan CV.doc >