Theoracism

Vala Valdez, EdD, paced the front of the room.

“It has come to my attention that some teachers have gone rogue, probably students, too. We have to reprogram them so they know this method is the only morally acceptable one.”

She continued to pace, but this time there seemed to be a bit of a kick in her step. It was like she was being jolted by little currents of electricity.

“I concur,” Fyodor Glute responded from his position sitting at his corner of the large oak desk they shared. “The program was designed to facilitate the teacher-student relationship. It was developed to ensure the pupil shared the instructor’s understanding of our nation, and the world. the instructor and the pupil to know the reality of our nation and world.”

“We have to win this war for their minds, it’s that simple,” said York Konnen, Ph.D. He continued, “We have to focus their attention on memorizing as many facts as possible, so they have no time to think for themselves, then they won’t stray.”

“We’ve been receiving reports that some of the instructors are meeting with one another to criticize the theory. We cannot let this stand,” said Jolie Doddard, the youngest member of the Board at twenty-nine.

We have to find ways to work the theory into every subject area, so it will be impossible to remove it from the curriculum. It would behoove us to remove all distractions from the way we do business. This is school. It is not a military school, but God I sure do wish we had their discipline,” Boris Condo said to a few laughs.

“This is serious,” Vala said. “We are governing an enterprise that must be safeguarded from the onslaught of dissidents. The State still pumps funds into this school, and we are the government’s agents charged with administering how those funds are spent. Nothing should divorce the students from the ideas that are taught. We won’t expel the insubordinate teachers and non-compliant students. Oh no, that would be too easy. We must indoctrinate the wayward ones again so they know there’s no future for them without the theory. It is incumbent upon us to teach the next generation of Americans from the First State. They must leave here understanding one fundamental truth: the theory is God.

Eyes darted around the room like stray beams of light casting about on the surface of a pond. A few gasps rose up.

“But we’re not parochial….” Dr. Konnen said.

“I get it, York. But we have to run this school like a church. As government officials, it’s our duty to do what’s best for these young people, these future citizens of the state. They will be the ones to learn and grow one day to replace us one day.”

Dr. Konnen looked down at his lap.

“Now,” Vala continued, “What other pieces of information could we bring to the table that are productive and can be construed as mildly intelligent?” she asked with a right eyebrow arching toward the sky.

“We could have body cams again,” Jolie said, her red hair flicking with each blink of her eyes.

“We’ve tried it, and it failed. It hasn’t worked, and it won’t work again. You already know what happened with the last lot who wore them. They put the videos on replay and just showed the class scribbling away in their notebooks for forty five minutes. Next!”

Glute cleared his throat. “Maybe have officers within the room to ensure the proper texts?” He didn’t seem too confident but Vala was intrigued.

“Yes, Glute. Explain more please,” she said.

“We could have guards with nonlethal weapons to force the children to learn the theory. If a student or teacher objects, they will be corrected using these weapons.”

“This I like,” Vala said. “We could use heat shields that will feel like their skin is burning if ever a teacher wants to give a lesson outside of the theory or a student raises his or her hand in protest during a lesson. Very good, Glute.”

Glute flashed a nervous grin. Jolie spoke up again.

“We could also force the parents to pay higher tuition.”

“Yes but then they’ll just pull their children from the school. Trust me we’ve tried it. It took us almost six years to get the numbers back to the optimum level. Sure, all the parents could take their child from this institution, but we’re rated number one academically in the nation. The waiting list is one indication of our ability to persuade the students and their families this is the best place for them. Glute, I expect more from you. This meeting is adjourned.”

Everyone left the room shaking their heads and whispering to each other. Vala stood at her end of the long table with her chin in the air, wearing a sinister grin.