A CAT IN CLASS

When she heard the first meow, she brushed it off as her students being mischievous. The second one came, and she purposefully ignored it.

But she knew something was off at the third. She quickly set her roll call sheet aside and hurried to the back of the class. She didn’t expect what she found.

TEACHING SPANISH

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Dani Rauch was a Spanish teacher living in California. She’d been teaching for the last two years, helping kids all over San Fransisco learn Spanish.

A native of California, Dani loved the melding of cultures and perspectives in the state. But none of it would’ve prepared her for what she experienced that day.

RETURNING TO CLASS

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Dani had recently applied to grad school for a master’s in education. She had less time to teach than she wanted to. To pay her bills, Dani took on substitute teaching.

She’d found an opening as a substitute Spanish teacher in her city. Excited to start her new job, Dani left home early that morning. She had no clue how much the day would affect her teaching career.

EAGER MINDS

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Dani walked into class after all the kids settled as part of her first-day routine. Her sight swept from one corner of the classroom to the other.

A smile bloomed on her face. There was nothing she loved more than eager minds ready to learn. She took out her attendance sheet and called the first name on the list. And then it happened.

IT BEGINS

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The sound made the class giggle, and Dani glanced up from her sheet. She smiled, ignoring the meow and reading the next name.

Another meow split the air, followed by a third one. That’s it! Dani set the attendance sheet aside and looked around. “Excuse me? Who’s doing that?” She wasn’t prepared for the answer she got.

MEOW

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“Meow,” came the answer. Irritation flared within Dani. She breathed out steadily, knowing how playful high school could sometimes be.

But a girl at the front of the class awkwardly raised her hand. When Dani nodded at her, she said, “You have to meow back at him. He identifies as a cat.” Dani’s jaw slackened.

A NEW EXPERIENCE

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“I have to do what?” Dani asked, her smile holding fast. “Meow back at him,” repeated the girl. “Meow,” the sound went again.

This time, Dani pinpointed its source. She walked to the back of the classroom, where a boy sat with his head held low. “Meow?” he asked, and Dani did the unexpected.

SHE DOES NOT MEOW BACK

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“Is there a litter box somewhere in here?” Dani asked, and the class burst out laughing. The boy shot to his feet with a glare. He ran his gaze up and down Dani and hissed.

He meowed one last time before stomping out of the classroom. Dani chuckled, seeing it all as good harmless fun on her first day. But it didn’t stop there.

TAKING MATTERS INTO HER HANDS

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As the boy walked toward the door, Dani made a woof sound. The laughter in the class doubled. Dani laughed along, hoping it was over.

She finished her roll call and set to teaching the class. The boy returned after some minutes, and Dani smiled at him. Although his lips curled back at her, Dani knew something was amiss.

A DAY WELL SPENT

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The class ended well, as Dani expected. She collected her teaching materials and walked to the office. On her way, Dani smiled. She’d enjoyed her interaction with the student and found his perspective on life unique.

But her thoughts were interrupted by the school secretary. “Miss Rauch,” the secretary called. “The principal would like to see you in his office. Thank you.”

THE PRINCIPAL CALLS

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Dani nodded at the lady and quickly changed her trajectory. She’d meant to take her teaching materials to the office first before seeing the principal anyway, so this worked out fine for her.

She knocked on the door, expecting a warm greeting. She received none. “Sit,” the principal almost commanded. Dani couldn’t believe what the principal said next.

HE’S SERIOUS

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“We no longer need your services,” the principal said. “If you can’t identify with all the children in the classroom, then we can’t continue working together.”

Dani used everything in her to keep her lips from curving. She realized the principal was serious about the matter. She would match the principal’s energy with her answer.

I UNDERSTAND

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“I didn’t know cats were considered people,” Dani said. “I thought they were pets.” Was that a twitch on the principal’s jaw?

“I am sorry,” Dani said. “I understand what these kids go through every day. It is not easy for them.” As part of Dani’s grad school education, she learned ways to make education more comfortable for students. Could she apply anything she’d learned here?

SHE SPEAKS HER MIND

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“I appreciate that the student identifies as a cat,” Dani said. “It makes him unique. Maybe we could find ways to make him more comfortable in class.”

When the principal took an interest, she continued, “We could focus on his likes, maybe encourage sincere communication. There is a lot that these kids have bottled up. We can help them.” The principal leaned forward. What he said shocked Dani.

A NEW DEVELOPMENT

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“You seem to know a lot about this,” the principal said, and Dani nodded. “If you are up for it,” he continued, “you can incorporate what you’re talking about into our teaching programs.”

Dani gave another nod. She’d wanted a chance to apply what she was learning in a real-life educational setting. “When can I start,” she asked the principal.