Mary answered and began to explain about what she was seeking. "We're looking for qualified individuals who can help students who have questions about their homework. We find most of the questions come from middle and high school students, particularly in the subjects of English, math, and chemistry, but sometimes we get elementary aged students, also. Sometimes the subjects are beyond a parent's ability, and sometimes the student simply doesn't have anyone at home who can, or even will, help. Sometimes I think we have a few who are just lonely, and this is a way to reach out and have someone to talk to."
I felt my heart break at her assessment. She was probably right. I had gone to a school where either the parents had to work multiple jobs and weren't home, or they had barely gotten through school themselves and struggled to help their child. And then there were some who just don't give a damn about their kid. I knew that group a little too well. I shook my head and focused on what Mary was saying.
She went on to explain how there were various ways to communicate with the students, including a new program called 'Virtual Teacher' that allowed for real-time on screen interaction, particularly useful in subjects like math and science. "It's quite amazing, and we're lucky to have it. We would provide you with a tablet and stylus that is needed to make this work. It simply attaches to any computer."
My heart sunk. I hadn't thought about needing a computer. Maybe I'd still be able to use the ones at the library? Or maybe I'd have to skimp and stretch my budget to accommodate a computer. Were there used ones I could buy? Somehow I'd make this work if I could just get the job.
"That sounds fascinating. I can't say I'd be much help with science," I laughed. "But I was always very good in my English classes, and I excelled at math." I felt excitement build at the prospect of being able to do something close to what I always had wanted to do.
"Oh, well that sounds excellent!" Mary exclaimed. "We have an application process, but it's fairly simple. I'll email you the form. It's just the basics, name, address, schools you attended, you know, the usual. Oh, and, of course, a background check will be necessary."
If my heart skipped a beat about her 'schools attended' comment, it sunk at the 'background check' one. How stupid of me. I'd hoped because it was an online job that maybe that would be skipped. Mary obviously noticed the silence on my part.
"Is there a problem?" Her voice was crisp with alertness.
I hesitated, even considered hanging up and ending this pipe dream right there. But I also recognized this was a situation I was going to encounter over and over again, and the sooner I practiced dealing with it, the better.
"Well, I've had some unfortunate events happen, and I'm afraid I didn't finish school in the conventional way, but I assure you I excelled in all my classes, most of which were advanced, and I can support that with my transcripts."
"Could you be more specific?"
I sensed an edge of impatience, but at least she hadn't bid me a good day and hung up.
"To be honest, I couldn’t graduate with my class, and my few college credits are from online courses."
"Due to illness?"
I blew out my breath and blurted, "No. I was in prison."
There was the expected moment of silence, and I waited to hear the click as she disconnected the call.
"Well," she finally said, "I wasn't anticipating that."
"I understand," I said softly, disappointment burning behind my eyes. "I'm sorry for wasting your time."
"Wait!" Her sharp voice caught my attention before I replaced the receiver on the hook. "Don't hang up."
"Um, okay." I was nervous about what she might have to say. I prepared myself to be blasted with accusations about being a predator or who knows what?
"I'm thinking," she said, and I waited for what felt like an eternity of silence. Finally, she continued. "I'll admit it's not the ideal circumstance, especially
I felt my heart break at her assessment. She was probably right. I had gone to a school where either the parents had to work multiple jobs and weren't home, or they had barely gotten through school themselves and struggled to help their child. And then there were some who just don't give a damn about their kid. I knew that group a little too well. I shook my head and focused on what Mary was saying.
She went on to explain how there were various ways to communicate with the students, including a new program called 'Virtual Teacher' that allowed for real-time on screen interaction, particularly useful in subjects like math and science. "It's quite amazing, and we're lucky to have it. We would provide you with a tablet and stylus that is needed to make this work. It simply attaches to any computer."
My heart sunk. I hadn't thought about needing a computer. Maybe I'd still be able to use the ones at the library? Or maybe I'd have to skimp and stretch my budget to accommodate a computer. Were there used ones I could buy? Somehow I'd make this work if I could just get the job.
"That sounds fascinating. I can't say I'd be much help with science," I laughed. "But I was always very good in my English classes, and I excelled at math." I felt excitement build at the prospect of being able to do something close to what I always had wanted to do.
"Oh, well that sounds excellent!" Mary exclaimed. "We have an application process, but it's fairly simple. I'll email you the form. It's just the basics, name, address, schools you attended, you know, the usual. Oh, and, of course, a background check will be necessary."
If my heart skipped a beat about her 'schools attended' comment, it sunk at the 'background check' one. How stupid of me. I'd hoped because it was an online job that maybe that would be skipped. Mary obviously noticed the silence on my part.
"Is there a problem?" Her voice was crisp with alertness.
I hesitated, even considered hanging up and ending this pipe dream right there. But I also recognized this was a situation I was going to encounter over and over again, and the sooner I practiced dealing with it, the better.
"Well, I've had some unfortunate events happen, and I'm afraid I didn't finish school in the conventional way, but I assure you I excelled in all my classes, most of which were advanced, and I can support that with my transcripts."
"Could you be more specific?"
I sensed an edge of impatience, but at least she hadn't bid me a good day and hung up.
"To be honest, I couldn’t graduate with my class, and my few college credits are from online courses."
"Due to illness?"
I blew out my breath and blurted, "No. I was in prison."
There was the expected moment of silence, and I waited to hear the click as she disconnected the call.
"Well," she finally said, "I wasn't anticipating that."
"I understand," I said softly, disappointment burning behind my eyes. "I'm sorry for wasting your time."
"Wait!" Her sharp voice caught my attention before I replaced the receiver on the hook. "Don't hang up."
"Um, okay." I was nervous about what she might have to say. I prepared myself to be blasted with accusations about being a predator or who knows what?
"I'm thinking," she said, and I waited for what felt like an eternity of silence. Finally, she continued. "I'll admit it's not the ideal circumstance, especially
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