by Athanasia Diamantopoulou

(Miss Dura is entering the teachers' office) What is that? The bell? So soon? I just came into the office. I didn't even have time to sit down and take a sip of coffee!
(Talking to her colleague who has asked her something) Sorry, Anna! We’ ll talk about it later! I’ m in a hurry now! (Talking to herself) Take my books... Students' Book and Workbook... right... don't forget the CD player, we have listening comprehension... Oh! And the CD! Where's the CD? (Looking in drawer) It should be here somewhere... Oh dear God! I hope they are not fighting by now... Ok! Here's the CD... Books, bag, CD... (Something flashes through her mind, she yells) Handouts!! (Finding them among other papers) Thank God I remembered the handouts! Now I’ m ready!... (A little doubtfully) I think...

... (Walking towards the classroom, thinking to herself) I' ll send someone to fetch their notebooks, God gave me only two hands!!! I must look strict, they’ re getting lazy. I' ve never spotted so many mistakes in homework before!! Yep, I should definitely complain to them about that...

... (Entering the classroom, inhale, exhale, smile) Good morning, class! How are we all doing today? Good? Victoria, can you fetch the notebooks from my desk in the office, please? The ones on top of the pile. (Looking at each one of the students, stressing her words in a humorous way) The ones which say “Too – many - mistakes”, you will spot them at once! Thank you so much!
(Putting on her strict look) Now, coming to that, let me tell you, class, that I was not happy at all correcting your homework this time. It seems some of you were looking out of the window while I was explaining it... (Someone miaows) Have we adopted a cat in here? Who is making that cat noise? Are you listening to me? Shall I call the zoo keeper? Or maybe someone' s parent? (On hearing the word “parent”, everyone’s quiet in the classroom) Now, as Victoria is handing back your homework, tell me if you have any questions regarding my corrections...

… (Some time later) Let' s all turn to page 26 now. Here you can see... John, what can you see? (Exclaiming) Jerry?!? Don' t be silly, of course you CAN' T see Jerry on page 26!! Maybe 27.(Chuckles) I am just kidding! Jerry what? (Repeating John' s words) Jerry' s been teasing you? Is that so? Jerry, have you been teasing John? (Repeating Jerry' s words) No, of course not! What have you been doing then? Oh I see! You were just asking him about the lesson! Hmm... Next time ask ME about the lesson, not John, is that clear?

… Whose turn is it to read? Ok, Maria' s. Hem... Maria dear, can you speak up, please? They can' t hear you at the back of the room. (Someone' s being heard whispering "She IS speaking up!"). I heard that! No more wise-guy remarks, ok? One more and someone will get in trouble!... Steve, can you go on, please?...  Tom, I know it was your turn to read, but now I want STEVE to read! What are we reading, Steve? It seems you were not focusing. I will ask you again. Pay attention next time, please! Go on, Tom!

... Stephen, why are you raising your hand? You need to go to the bathroom? What, right NOW??? In the middle of a listening? Can' t you wait till it' s over? (Sighs) Ok, use your bathroom pass, it' s your last one I think.

... Tom, can you come to the board, please? I said "Tom", not "Jerry". Where are you off to, Jerry? Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat! I’ ve noticed this is the second time today that I need to remind you of the classroom rules. It shouldn't happen again, otherwise we' ll have to talk after class. Do you want to stay after class? No! (Thinking to herself) Neither do I! I just want to go and drink that coffee, that' s all I want!!

... (concluding) and by that the author means that we all have to... (A student screams terrified, followed by at least half a dozen other screams) What' s happened now? Why are you all screaming? What? Bee? There's a bee in the room? Don' t be afraid! It' s just a visitor! Maybe it wants to learn English like you! (Waving her folder trying to send the uninvited guest outside the open window) The bee should be afraid of you, not the other way round! If you leave it alone, it will do the same (bee flies out of the window, the class finally calms down) Now, what was I saying? Ah yes, in this text the author wants to say... (Bell rings, the kids start to get out of their seats) The author says it's break time and time for me to drink that coffee! Bye, class! (Miss Dura Cell sighs with relief and smiles)