A Bad Education

Changing schools can be difficult at any age, but when you are 15 years old it can be hell. Most kids have developed lifelong friendships (their little cliques) and really don't want the “new kid” around.  

I had attended Memminger Elementary School in downtown Charleston and in 7th grade graduated and went on to Charleston High School in the 8th grade. Most of us, coming over from Memminger knew someone in high school and we didn't feel so alone.  

Unfortunately, we moved to West Ashley and I had to change schools. In the 10th grade my new school was St. Andrews Parish High School. It was a very uncomfortable situation for me. I knew NO ONE in the 10th grade. I felt really alone and we all know how pleasant and inviting high school students can be, right?  

As I watched everyone around me running over, hugging friends and getting reacquainted after a long summer vacation, everyone was laughing and talking and just enjoying seeing each other again. I really did realize how alone I was. Me – standing around feeling awkward, not wanting anyone to even look at me because I was so shy. I wouldn't have known what to say anyway.  

My cousin (whom I never expected to see) had also transferred to St. Andrews. He was older and in another class. He happened to see me and came over to where I was standing. “Thank goodness,” I thought, “Maybe he will stand here with me at least until the bell rings!” He didn't really want to be bothered with me but he did say hello and then turned around to leave with some of his friends.  

A very cute guy walked up to my cousin and asked him who I was. My cousin, who was rather rude responded with, “Don't worry. You'll never know, David.”  

Strange conversation, right?  

How did my cousin even know this guy? And why did he respond that way to him? Long story short they all went to church together at Citadel Square Baptist Church in downtown Charleston and his dad was my cousin's Sunday school teacher.  

Small world, right?  

Charleston High and St. Andrews Parish High were rival schools and when my cousin had to leave Charleston High and “crossover” to St. Andrews he was not a happy camper. David and my cousin were also rivals so when David expressed interest in getting to know me, my cousin was going to make sure he never did.  

This guy, David, was so cute and I want to get to know him whether my cousin approved or not. I knew his first name was David but what was his last name? I had to find out what his last name was. Since I was too shy, how I was I going to find out?  

Algebra class – “Birdie” McLaughlin was my teacher and – yes! - David was in my class. Now, all I would have to do is listen when the teacher was calling the roll and I would be able to find out. So, I listened... David Joyner? “Huh?” I thought, “I have never heard that name!” But I liked it... 

Jeannie Joyner... It has a nice ring to it!  

You all know how shy I was and I didn't like “any” attention. After a few days in algebra class I noticed that David had managed to change his seat and was sitting behind me. Hmmm... I thought, “how did that happen?” I wore my hair in different styles: sometimes a ponytail, sometimes braids, even Princess Leia braids (I had it before she did), etc. So, he was always messing in my hair with his pencil. I was constantly turning around to tell him to “knock it off.” Or to slap his hand away.  

That was when the teacher fussed at me - never him! Could she not see what was really happening? My face would turn red and I just wanted to hide under my desk. I had never gotten in trouble at school in my entire life and now I was. It wasn't even my fault.  

This went on for a couple of weeks and it was always me she would blame. One day “Birdie” turned around while I was fussing at David and said “I will solve this problem. Jeannie, you move to the front of the class right in front of my desk so I can keep an eye on you!”  

So, embarrassed, and with a red face, I packed up my books and planted myself in front of her.  

“Oh, my goodness,” I thought. “Here I am where everyone can see me and I know they're all snickering behind my back!” After all, the kids all knew what was really happening.  

This separation lasted for about a week and one day when I walked into algebra class and sat down at my desk still in the front of the class, there behind me was guess who? Yup - David -  and he had the biggest grin on his face.  

“Oh my goodness,” I thought. “I guess now I'm going to be expelled!” The teacher came in, started algebra class, stopped, looked at us, paused, sort of shrugged her shoulders, turned towards the blackboard and went on teaching never to say another word to the two of us for the rest of the year. 

I often wondered how I even passed algebra class that year. It's a wonder my teacher had not failed me because of all the trouble we caused in her class. Or maybe by the end of the year she had seen how David had snuck into the seat right behind me, right under her nose and she finally realized who the real culprit was?  

This was the only class that David and I ever had together. It was probably a good thing. My parents had put all their efforts into educating me. So, to find out that it could be completely destroyed by a cute boy who was distracting me every day in class, would not have made them happy with me at all.  

Fortunately for me, (and David, I hope) they grew to love him just as much as I did. After all - 52 years of married bliss and 2 sons - we had to learn something in algebra class, right?

~ Jeannie Joyner