Beyond the Blackboard

All right, everybody, that's the last

we're going to talk about our home state of Utah today.

I have something special...

I always wanted to be a teacher.

I loved the giant pull-down maps

and the way brand-new textbooks smelled.

...quiz.

Hope you studied up.

I know you did, Miss Stacey.

I loved writing my name at the top of the page,

as though I was someone who counted.

...and some of the other planets as well.

All right, everybody,

here is a picture of Earth from outer space.

This is a picture of Mars.

School was the safe place where I had a glimpse

of who I wanted to be.

This is a picture of our solar system way, way out in space.

MAN (yelling): I don't punch a clock!

I don't get out at 5:00 and rush on home to my wife,

who doesn't even cook anymore!

They don't give me overtime!

It's salary! What do you want me to do?! I don't play all...

Then come home and help!

I don't play all... I don't play all...

Hey, Stacey, good luck.

Hey, girl.

I always loved school.

And at 16...

I quit.

You graduated U of U in December?

Yes, sir. You did well,

Ms. Bess, but I can see it took you a long time to do it.

Uh, well, uh, my high school sweetheart and I married young,

and I quit school.

But once I got my G.E.D.,

everything moved very quickly.

Though juggling college and family

required some flexibility.

As you know, there's not many jobs

for someone just out of school.

Are you prepared

to teach one through six?

Yes, sir.

Every grade-- one through six?

Yes, absolutely.

I like your enthusiasm,

I do. I need enthusiasm.

I need somebody who loves to teach.

Well, I... I have wanted to be a teacher

ever since I can remember. And I'm ready.

Our term started

January 5. We're already two weeks

into the semester.

If I assign you this class,

I'm going to need your unqualified commitment

for the rest of the school year.

Of course.

You'll have to start tomorrow. Can you do that?

That's fine. Yes, absolutely.

Here's the address.

What school is it?

Uh, it doesn't

have a name. It's a new

program for homeless students.

Oh, that's wonderful.

Yeah, it is.

For personal reasons, our teacher needed some time off.

You'll report to the substitute, Ms. Trumble, at 9:00 tomorrow.

Congratulations, Ms. Bess.

That's it?

That's it.

Thank you.

I'm done!

: Hey, you ask her.

Finished.

Did you understand everything in your homework?

Can Brandon and I play now? Please?

In 33 minutes,

it's bathtub and PJs.

Okay! Come on, come on!

Hey, everybody, I'm home.

Daddy's home.

Here's your glasses.

Put your PJs on, okay?

I'm freezing!

"Harry laughed as he

"chased the bubbles.

"More of them scooped up

"his cars and his planes and his shoes.

"Bloop went his books, and bloop went his whirligigs.

"And then all of a sudden, a giant bubble blooped

"and swept up...

NICOLE/BRANDON: Horsey!

...Horsey, and it carried him up and away."

There he goes into space. Aww...

One day, I'll be in space.

Mom, are you nervous about tomorrow?

No, I'm not nervous. You know why?

Because I'm well prepared, and when we're well prepared

and we work hard,

then we can be confident.

Mwah! Good night. I love you.

All right, which hand?

Hmm? Which hand?

Oh, fun.

Um, left.

No, right, right, right, right.

Actually, it's so big, it's in both.

What is this?

It's to keep your papers in.

It's so teacher-y. Thank you!

Mm-hmm.

My-my second grade teacher, Mrs. Linsky, had one of those,

and, uh... she was the woman of my dreams.

Oh, really?

Yeah, until I met you.

Hey.

You're going to do great tomorrow.

Thank you.

(garbled police radio transmission)

I didn't do anything!

Are you lost?

Where you trying to get to?

Excuse me. I'm-I'm...

looking for 600 South Street.

You the new teacher?

Yes.

You're in the right place.

I got the teacher.

Why's she driving away from me?

Park it right there.

Ha!

Hey, what's with the wire cage?

That's to put the kids' papers in.

'Cause it ain't big enough to hold my kid.

What's your name?

Uh, Stacey.

You look awful young, Stace. How old are you?

She looks like she's 16.

17, tops. I'm 24.

What are your credentials?

We gotta know your credentials

if you're going to teach our kids.

Well, this is my first...

What? What'd she say? What'd you say, Stacey?

I... This is my first job.

Ah, well, at least she's honest.

Honey, you ain't got nowheres to go but up.

Joe, why don't you escort the lady to school? This way.

I like your shoes.

Step aside, folks.

Teacher coming through.

Thank you. Excuse me.

Ugh!

Oh!

Step aside. Teacher coming through.

Thank you.

Right this way. Excuse me.

Papi. Thank you.

Let's set some ground rules here. Hey, Johnny!

Yeah?

We got our teacher.

Thank you, Joe. Thank you.

Look, I don't like

to judge a book by its cover...

but there's no tolerance for drug use.

No drugs, no booze,

no exceptions.

You're high, you're out.

Am I understood?

We're clean. We're good.

Hi. I'm Johnny.

Hi. Joe, would you please

find Ms. Trumble? Thank you.

Excuse me. My-My name is Stacey Bess.

I'm supposed to report to a school.

Are you in charge here?

I don't know if I'd call it in charge,

but I'm here and you're here and you're in the right place.

I don't think I... Hold that thought.

I'll find you this afternoon. I...

I've got a dozen families out there freezing

that I need to process.

May I use your phone?

Yeah, dial nine to get out.

...a brand-new car!

Dr. Ross's office.

Yes, Dr. Ross, please.

What is this regarding?

Uh, it's regarding the fact that

I've just reported to my first day of teaching.

And this is-- this is not a school.

This is a... more like a warehouse,

and um, well, it's an emergency.

Just a minute. I'll see if I can connect you.

You're the new teacher?

Dr. Ross isn't available. Could we get started here?