The tardy bell rang and Ms. Greer smiled as the last of her students hurried into her classroom. She began to close the door behind Annabelle, but felt resistance as she pulled it shut.

“Knock, knock. Happy Monday,” came the familiar nasal tone of Mrs. Anderson, the front office clerk. She had a forced smile on her face that told Ms. Greer that she was absolutely not going to like what happened next.

“Good Morning, Mrs. Anderson. Didn’t see you there. Was just going to get my literacy small groups started.” See, I am already busy, you can not ask me to do anything, she thought.

“Oh great, I’m just in time then.” Mrs. Anderson stepped slightly to the side, revealing a young girl of about eight Ms. Greer had never seen before. And she knew every student in the school. “This is Camilla, her family just moved here from Tallahassee, and she has been assigned to your class.”

Ms. Greer swallowed slowly and made herself very aware of the expression on her face, keeping it pleasant and warm. Her class already had thirty-two second graders. Four children were already sharing cubbies. Her small groups were laughable in size - more mid-sized van than compact vehicles to learning. They were scrapping the bottom of the barrel for paper, pencils and patience. But that was not this sweet little girl’s fault. And truthfully, it was not Mrs. Anderson’s fault either.

“Thank you so much for showing her to the room, Mrs. Anderson. Does she have a file or any paperwork?”

“Yes, it will be in your box by planning period,” Mrs. Anderson giggled, turning on her heel. Ms. Greer began to bend down to introduce herself to Camilla, but was stopped by Mrs. Anderson turning back. “Oh my goodness, I almost forgot,” she chuckled, “Sweet girl does not speak a word of English. Have a wonderful day!”

Ms. Greer’s mouth hung open, watching the secretary’s back skip away. She looked down at Camilla’s face, looking eager and anxious. She shut her mouth and smiled, opening the door wide for her unexpected guest. Of course, there was no cubby prepared, no desk available, no anchoring space she could guide this child to or to make her feel welcomed. The other students were engrossed in their morning work, mostly on task, used to disturbances of visitors and later classmates at this time and thus unfazed by her and Camilla’s ordeal. Ms. Greer scanned the room, considering her options. No desk for her to do independent work at. She had no books in Spanish for independent reading. It did not seem practical to put her in the math small group that was being cooperatively led by other second graders Camilla could not communicate with. Literacy small group it was.

Motioning with her hand to Camilla to follow her, Ms. Greer led the girl to an open chair at the half moon table between her desk and the cubbies. She handed Camilla a book with dogs on the cover.

(To be continued.)