Chapter 3

I have a PhD in mathematics. When I first graduated, I had my pick of jobs.

But because I grew up in a small town, I decided to become a teacher in an area with scarce educational resources.

Yet these parents blamed me at every turn.

Just then, Chinese teacher Ms. Garcia spoke up to calm things down:

"Parents, let's not talk about anything else. Why did Class 9 become the honors class? Wasn't it because Ms. Griffin single-handedly built it up? Her ability is beyond question. Maintaining the status quo is better for the students. There's no need to worry about things that haven't happened yet, right?"

Class 9 was originally the group with the weakest performance.

I had voluntarily taken on the challenge and used two years to steadily improve their grades.

The student with the best math scores in the entire school was in my class.

The parent group fell briefly silent.

Hugo's mom:

"What does the kids' hard work and improvement have to do with the teacher?"

As soon as she said this, the other parents chimed in:

"Student success depends on natural talent. A teacher's role is just supervision. How can we let a pregnant woman do proper supervision work?"

Reading their words, my eyes reddened slightly.

The students did work hard, but let's not forget that both society and schools now have a trend toward adultification.

Children have poor self-control. Guiding them to study actively and focus on their studies—this ideological work isn't easy.

But I had done it. They saw the results of the students' progress but ignored how much research and sweat I had put into it.

I often used diverse methods to teach students new problem-solving approaches.

Sometimes to reward their progress, I'd buy stationery and notebooks out of my own pocket.

Precisely because I had benefited from the country's welfare, I wanted to pass on this simple emotion.

More than profit, I was loyal to my heart in doing this work.

But now these parents were saying their children's improved grades had nothing to do with me.

That I was dispensable.

They completely denied everything about me.

My heart went cold:

"Since you parents believe students' grades depend entirely on themselves, then how does my weekend prenatal checkup affect them?"

Provoked by my words, the parents exploded again:

"Students' grades are easily affected by emotions. Since you're pregnant, students will instinctively not want to trouble you. So what's the point of having you as a teacher?"

"Exactly. When students forget to eat while doing problems, or when they feel unwell, they'll have to consider your physical condition first. They're already exhausted—now they have to read your moods too?"

"You're a teacher. You should be taking care of students in every way, not having students take care of you."

They disparaged me as worthless.

My eyes darkened. Just then, Ms. Garcia called me and told me not to argue with these impossible parents.

I could understand the parents' concerns. Finally, I patiently typed:

"Parents, I've received your concerns. I sincerely ask you to trust me. I guarantee that my pregnancy absolutely will not affect my work. If anything unusual occurs, I will voluntarily step down from my teaching position."

Ms. Garcia sent a message:

"Parents, please stay calm. I will do my best to assist Ms. Griffin and absolutely won't let what you're worried about happen."

However, Hugo's mom sneered:

"This pregnant woman is indeed stupid and can't understand plain language. We told her to stop being a teacher, but she's still clinging to the position. She really is greedy for money and fame!"

These words stung my eyes.