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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

“Of Pirates, Bees, and Angels” by Cajek Veilwinter

Submitted to Contest #198

The Professor of Forbidden Criminology at Vulane’s College of Elements was a hive of bees. “The Church of Tyr would have you believe that there are seven ‘Vile Vermin,’” the hive buzzed as the students sat around the enchanted tree that held it. “In truth, there are eight!” It then issued a staccato buzz in such a way as to convey a laugh. The three students who were gathered around the Tree - as familiar as they were with the more hidden elements of the world - shuddered as a few bees crawled out of the hollow and buzzed furtively on th...

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“Call me Jorgé” by Trevor Lorance

Submitted to Contest #198

Barista’s still in their corporate company collared polo’s. Forty somethings looking for a career change. Semi ambitious poor test takers bypassing university admittance testing. Flip flops. Blue hair. Arms crossed. Red college hoodies with Varsity font. Low cut jeans. Freshly washed hair from a non liberal arts major. This motley crew of 20 assembled to meet their elective credit requirement in the summer of 2010 at the sprawling institution of academia known as Mesa Community College. Shuffling in like ghosts, most wanted nothing more than...

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“The Bully Principal” by Joe Smallwood

Submitted to Contest #198

It wasn’t like any other day, with snow falling so thick you couldn’t make out the individual snowflakes. A “snow day” for sure, with no buses running. But that didn’t stop our intrepid principal. He had a bone to pick with his staff, us teachers. One by one we were being called to the office. I called down on my phone to the school secretary.“Just wanted to let you know I’m here,” I said in my most helpful voice.“What’s this about?” called out the grade eight teacher from way down the hall.“The heck I know!” I called back. A grade seve...

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“Boys Will be Boys” by Dave Bede

Submitted to Contest #198

Trigger warning: Bullying That week, it wasn’t even lunchtime on Monday when Jamie found himself sent off to the principal’s office, his eyes still red from the latest tormenting from Mike and the others. All the way down the hall he told himself he didn’t care, he was numb, he could take it. All the way down the hall he couldn’t convince himself, no matter how he tried. At least Mrs. Burroughs was sympathetic as usual. “Oh, Jamie, not again,” she said as he lay the crumpled discipline slip on her desk. “When is Mrs. Anderton going to ...

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“Smoke and Mirrors” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #198

“Miss Saphyre Williams, come to the office, please.” The entire class looked up to where the voice boomed over the loudspeaker, then they all looked at her. The girl with blue hair tried to shrink in her chair, until the teacher dismissed her. “Saphyre - take your books and head down.” He knew she wouldn’t be returning. Saphyre stood and picked up her books. She sauntered toward the door, sending a glare of daggers to Miss Popular in the front row, feigning taking a puff from an imagined cigarette and blew the pretend smoke in Saphyre’s d...

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“That's Our Tammy!” by Paul Besancon

Submitted to Contest #198

“Okay Tammy, do you know why you were called into my office today?” Mr. Laury, the principal of Sierra Primary Middle School looked at 12-year-old Tammy with a face of stone. His glasses sat comically on his round nose, one lens missing, the other heavily cracked. “Well…” Tammy looked off to the side, blowing an errant lock of red hair away from her bright blue eyes. She picked at her fingernails, the clicking sound echoing throughout the small, cramped office. “Was it the mouse?” “Among other things, yes.” “I mean, Sidney dared me to br...

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“Lollipop” by Cosmic Neon

Submitted to Contest #198

“Mr. Charlie Flip, please come to the Principal’s office”, A woman said over the PA, I already knew why I was getting called… the demon wanted to see me.I HATE school just like every kid does and should, in fact, I told my parents I’m NEVER going to high school instead I’m going to run away and join the Avengers. My mom just smiled and said, “Sure honey”, I hated when adults said sure like that, like just tell me you don’t believe me instead of making me seem dumb. The first day of school is always terrible but this year it was a hundred tim...

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“Are You There God? It’s Me, Pearl” by Lynne Boyd

Submitted to Contest #198

I hurried behind Ms. Woodall, unrolling my skirt as I rushed to keep up with her, not wanting to get in trouble for my skirt, or legs, being too short. Could they reprimand me for being too short? At this point I felt as if anything and everything would be on trial, and I didn’t have a chance in hell of getting out of here alive. Ms. Woodall slapped my book on her hip as she stomped towards the principal’s office, over and over like she was whipping herself, as if she could knock loose all the words and sentences they deemed irrehens...

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“Never Miss A Trip” by Gary Jefferies

Submitted to Contest #198

“Good morning, Houghton Secondary School, my name's Lisa. How can I help you?” “I certainly hope so. Is Emma Strickland available?” “Just a moment; I'll see if she's teaching. Whom shall I say is calling?” Conrad thought before deciding that honesty was the better option. “It's Conrad Carmichael, and it's to do with one of her students.” “Thank you, transferring you now.” He waited for about a minute. Be nice if utility call centres were this fast, he thought. “Hello, Em...

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“The purple talking thing” by Ksenija Rubež

Submitted to Contest #198

The morning of the trip. As I brush my teeth, I feel those butterflies in my stomach. The bad ones. My mother. Buttons up my shirt. Keeps looking me in the eyes. Smiles. Smile of support. In the car, I look through the window. I try not to think of what is coming. My focus on the trees. On the parking lot. A few meters away from us the bus. My mother. She talks to someone. She is so tall. Her shadow protects me from the hot sun. I look at her great hand around my tiny hand. My fingers so small and short. Her thumb gently go...

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“A HUGE ENCOUNTER” by Tim Frater

Submitted to Contest #198

“What was that!?” My question was prompted by a high-pitched blood curdling sound that disturbed the peace of the night air.“Moose?” suggested Ryan Colquhoun, one of the three roommates I was bunked with in our tent.“Doesn’t sound like any moose I’ve ever heard,” said Cory Bush.“That’s for sure,” added Grant Lewis. My name is Tim Forsyth, a grade 12 student at Pattison High School, Vancouver, Canada. I and fifteen of my classmates, under the watchful care of four of our teachers, had taken the ferry across to Vancouver Island, departing...

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“Maev and the Destiny of Dragons ” by Daniel Rosas

Submitted to Contest #198

“Your daughter, King Corliss, is lost!”, the oracle declared darkly. “Consumed by the callous flames of war.” “Bah!”, Corliss said hotly. “I don’t come to you to tell me what I know! Where is her body? We must retrieve it before the humans desecrate her making impossible for her soul to pass to afterlife.” The oracle gave Corliss a look of distaste then waved a clawed hand through the thin, white smoke that rose from a candle and closed her eyes. “Close she is. And yet,” the oracle broke off her eyes opening w...

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“How To Execute A Jellyfish” by Chris Miller

Submitted to Contest #198

Dan sparked the fat Zippo with a soot-blackened thumb and touched the flame to the wick. The torch lit instantly; yellow flame grew from low blue roots in the smooth vapour cloud that wrapped it. He pocketed the lighter, raised the torch in a salute, paused, twirled the torch once like a majorette, threw his head back and plunged the flame into his mouth. A short, controlled breath sent the fire racing into the dark air of the nightclub and it was gone. He showed us the extinguished torch and smiled. “That’s all you have to do,” he said to...

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“Last Day of School” by Skylar De La Cruz

Submitted to Contest #198

Carletta was a sophomore at the all-girls school, and it was the last day of school before the summer holidays. She was excited to go on vacation with her family and friends, and was looking forward to the break from the stresses of school. Her best friend Cristy was sitting next to her, talking about their plans for the summer. Cristy had twin sisters, Cristyanna, who was also in her class. Suddenly, their teacher, Mrs. Anderson, clapped her hands and said, “Okay class! Pop quiz!” The class groaned, and Carletta and Cristy exchanged glances...

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“The Turquoise Butterfly” by AJ Majerle

Submitted to Contest #198

“Okay, class. Pop quiz.”A collective groan issued from the room. How was Sandi supposed to remember the material she didn’t know she was supposed to study? Mr. Roberts issued the quizzes typed using the mechanical clanker on his desk. He defended his typewriter, saying that’s how they people used to write. Sandi believed it was a useless skill. Roberts handed her the crisp, cleanly typed quiz. No errors. Perfectionist.Question One. How do you treat a scratch from a zombie? Sandi hadn’t seen any real zombies for three years. Sanctuary di...

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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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