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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#198: Teacher’s Pet

Whether it was the one who taught you a valuable skill, encouraged you to strive for better, or simply put a band-aid on your grazed knee, there must be at least one teacher you’ll always remember. They’re a constant presence in our childhoods, and, when you’re only small, teachers can seem like larger-than-life characters; the source of all knowledge. It’s little wonder that they feature so often in our stories and our imaginations.

Teaching is a difficult and complicated calling. As in any profession, alongside the above-and-beyonders are also those who should never have become teachers, or who have become jaded. Perhaps your own experiences with a teacher of this kind, one who failed to believe in their students when they needed them the most, clipped your wings, or drove you to work even harder in life. Either way, let's use this week to draw from these formative experiences and write about the people who taught us things, or ought to have.

This week's prompts

Write a story about an unconventional teacher.

High School – 57 stories

Start your story with somebody getting called to the principal’s office.

Middle School – 40 stories

Write about a school trip that takes a turn for the unexpected.

Kids – 15 stories

Write a short story about a teacher or mentor figure who recognizes hidden (or magical!) potential in someone and helps them cultivate it.

Narrative – 46 stories

Write a story that contains the phrase “Okay class! Pop quiz.”

Teens – 24 stories

Stories

“Boy Of Trouble To Boy Of Good” by Vamika Lakshita Krishna

Submitted to Contest #198

That day, when everything was peaceful until David started making trouble for all of them. David is given the title, "The Boy of Trouble". David has gone through a lot of detention throughout the year but today isn't his lucky day because he was in the principal's office on 13th May at 12:45 p.m.Who is David? Why is he the boy of trouble? Also, you may ask me why he was in the principal's office?First, David is a 13-year-old boy born in Texas. He grew comfortable with his parents. His need and wish were growing violently as he aged. His arro...

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“Unexpected Consequence” by Barb Griffith

Submitted to Contest #198

It was just another boring day for Jamie. He sat in his English class, mindlessly doodling on his notebook, when suddenly the intercom crackled to life. "Jamie Turner, please report to the principal's office immediately." Jamie's heart sank. With his mind racing, Jamie grabbed his backpack and made the long walk down the hallway to the principal's office, avoiding eye contact with fellow students. As he walked, he racked his brain for any possible explanations for why he was being summoned. "Good luck," one of his buddies...

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“Easy as ABC” by Christina Branaman

Submitted to Contest #198

*This story does feature light explicit language*Easy as ABCWritten by Christina Branaman"Zach, your word is Alphabet""Alphabet" I scoffed, putting my pen down and shaking my head at such a ridiculous request. "A, B, C, D, E-" I stopped at the sound of my classmates bursting into laughter. "Oh yeah? Fuck you guys!" I shouted as I reached for my sketchpad and headed out the door."Zachary Zimmerman, you go straight to the principal's office!" I could hear Mrs. Golden's voice from halfway down the hall.Coincidentally, I was walking the complete...

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“Graven” by Mark VanTassel

Submitted to Contest #198

Graven A Legend from the Strength of Old By Mark VanTassel Date: 1 A cricket hit his head, then hopped away. It was far from what he wanted, but when you’re in prison you take what you can get, or you starve. Graven lunged forward and snapped up the cricket. It had an earthy, nutty flavor. He gagged, and his jailer giggled. Another creature landed in his cell, this time a spider. Graven tensed and forced himself forward. Spiders were nasty, but he had to eat. It was fat, black, and shiny, with a red hourglass on its belly. It promp...

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“Jigsaw Pieces ” by David Beason

Submitted to Contest #198

(Trigger warning story contains references to Sexual violence, Mental health, Substance abuse, and physical violence.) If Marcus could build a Mount Rushmore of the educators who had shaped his mind, they would be James Randi, Carl Sagan, Martin Gardner, Frederick Douglass - and Stephen Hayes. The last name probably no one knows. Marcus was a high school drop out whose early life never seemed to move beyond the first two levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. His school days involved strategic ploys to meet the physical needs of fo...

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“Mrs. Brown” by Kimberly Walker

Submitted to Contest #198

Mrs. Brown Every Friday, the stench of fish sticks flooded the hallways by 11:38 AM. The alternative lunch choice was Mac and Cheese made with that imitation 5lb—block of government cheese. My only options were green beans, peaches, milk, and ice cream if I had an extra $0.50… if not for the best teacher in the world. I had irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea before it had a cute little name; IBS-D. Mrs. Brown understood how severe my affliction was after my first blowup during recess. By this age, you should know how to control your bodi...

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“Start. Stutter. Stop.” by John Heard

Submitted to Contest #198

Larry Jones looked at the clock in his office. One more hour and he could begin his three-week summer vacation. He was the 11th and 12th grade counselor at the Academy School, located an hour west of Boston. The school had 300 students with 75 per grade level. There was another counselor who worked with the 9th and 10th graders and together they shared one secretary. It was a heavy work load, particularly for him as he was responsible for the college admissions process for the senior class.He had reason to be happy this July.&...

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“THE TASTE OF THE EARTH” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #198

THE TASTE OF THE EARTH “ This morning that monster spat in the teacher’s face,” Lisa said, grimacing. “ And he also beat Malcolm until his nose bled” Samuel added, looking disgusted and at the same time frightened. The “monster” Lisa and Samuel were talking about was George, a six-year-old little boy who was absolutely reluctant to be disciplined. George was not able to write and read, he didn’t wash or comb his hair. And he crawled like a four-legged animal and not because he wasn’t not able to walk upright but because he liked it t...

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“رینبو (The Rainbow) ” by Sarah Asermily

Submitted to Contest #198

Rania’s inky hijab matched the rain cloud that loomed over her head the moment she entered her seventh-grade classroom. She made sure to always be the first to arrive, relishing her control of the desolation she’d chosen for herself before her classmates inevitably chose it for her. It had been seventeen days since the Twin Towers fell, and each one that passed left her with a feeling of irrevocable isolation. The attacks hadn’t been her fault, yet those who she once considered her acquaintances now shunned her. No more jokes, no more shared...

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“The Good Mage and Her Devil Mentor.” by Dan Foster

Submitted to Contest #198

Morana sat on a soft cushion in the highest tower of Castle Twilight. Her top hat tilted to the side. She had long black and white hair split down the middle with straight bangs, a tiny nose she sometimes painted red, and bright silver eyes that ran in the family.Her head moved left and right while being lectured by the tall, olive-skinned sorceress dressed in a black robe made from spider silk who walked in circles around her. The sorceress’ coal-black hair cascaded down her waist and smelled like Cattleya orchids, while her voice was ...

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“From Teacher to Student” by Allen DeCowsky

Submitted to Contest #198

There once was a man who was skilled in all things, magical and non-magical. He had learned these things over a very long career as a traveling performer. The magic he would perform was considered out-of-this-world and became his calling card. Of all the success this man had, there was one thing that kept him awake at night: he had no one to teach his skills to. Day in and day out, the crowds that he performed for were eager to learn from him. However, he sensed that they were only seeking his skills for fame and fortune. He had decid...

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“The Kid of Yestermonth” by Dylan Patrick

Submitted to Contest #198

Warning: the occasional upper-echelon swear word, slight homoerotic vibes (comes with the territory of wrestling) Allow me to summarize the past few weeks: “Welcome to Overtime Gym!” “Don’t you quit now!” “I’m trying!” “I have no son!” Okay, I’m exaggerating with that last one, but only slightly. Being part of a family that accepts nothing but greatness can get tiring. Not only greatness, but a 70s Celtics-esque run where we bring back multiple championships. Looking at our trophy room, you’d think that I was the only one who didn’t g...

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“The Pop Quiz Bandit” by Kaden Nevarez

Submitted to Contest #198

Emma sat in her history class, staring out the window as the sun beat down on the grass outside. She had always found history to be tedious, and today was no exception. She checked the clock on the wall, counting down the minutes until class would be over and she could finally escape to the comfort of her own home. Just as she was about to drift off into daydreams of her favorite TV shows, her teacher, Mrs. Thompson, suddenly called out, "Okay class! Pop quiz." The sudden announcement made Emma jump in her seat, her heart racing as she scram...

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“The Final” by J. Everett Wilson

Submitted to Contest #198

This story contains themes of violence and self harm.Dane’s chin brushed against his chest as the teacher droned on. It wasn’t just the warmth of the room or the dull voice of Professor Haven. It wasn’t even the evening sun filtering through the windows and gently dispersing across the desks of other dozing students.It was what the sunlight dispersed through- a thick fog of noxious fumes created by the experiments that the professor kept bubbling on the tables behind him. No two of the bubbling liquids looked exactly alike- there were slimy ...

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“Happy Training” by Flower Queens Adventures

Submitted to Contest #198

"Okay class, Pop Quiz" We heard from the unexpectedly cheerful female voice.. A hidden male figure In all black removed the cloth cover over our heads revealing a confused bunch of us. All different and varying in ages, shapes, colors and languages. The now intensely bright lit room did not resemble a classroom but an obstacle course that was viewed to be the size of at least 3 indoor football fields. With confusing faces and after a long pause of observational awareness of our new surroundings, all of our attention was on her. Noticing o...

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$250

Prize money

182

Contest entries

105

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 19, 2023 EST

Won by Zack Powell 🏆

Title: Multiple Choice

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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