Jason watched the track team practice, making occasional notes on his clip board.  They were coming up on their first meet and he was trying to get them ready.  Unfortunately it wasn't going as well as he would have liked.  "Come on team, don't start lagging now.  Pick it up a little."  He could tell most of them were putting some effort in their training but, as usual, some of them were just coasting. 

Irritated, Jason blew his whistle.  "All right, bring it in everyone.  As he waved them over, the more experienced team members looked at each other nervously.  They knew he only stopped practice when he was mad.  "Two groups, right now.  Rachel, Kevin, Amanda,..."  Jason quickly went down the list, dividing the team into those who were working hard and those who were not.

"Group one, thank you for your hard work.  Go get some water."  The hard workers trotted off towards the waiting water station.  "Group two.  What do you think you are doing out there?  When I tell you to do something, you need to do it with some energy.  If you want to be on this team, you need to put some effort into it."

Not surprisingly, it was Terry who spoke up.  "Aw come on Coach, we're trying hard.  Give us a break," he moaned, feigning exhaustion.  A few muffled laughs echoed through the group.

Jason gritted his teeth.  He wanted to bite Terry's head off, or at least send him packing, but he held his temper in check.  "If that was as hard as you can work, you need to find another hobby, Terry," he explained as calmly as he could.  "Track takes effort.  You can't just coast, not if you want to accomplish anything."  His passion for track was obvious.

"Yeah, whatever Coach," Terry replied, yawning.  "Can we go get water now?"  He was playing to the crowd now and the laughs were not as muffled as before.

Angry now, Jason walked up until he was looking down into the freshman's eyes.  "You think this is funny, Terry?  How about I toss your butt off the team?  Would that be funny?"

Terry smiled back at Jason.  "Can't Coach.  You aren't allowed to cut anyone.  It might be bad for my self-image, don't you know."  A few of the other kids were now laughing openly.  "Besides, what do you know about working hard.  Standing around with your clipboard.  Doesn't look like much work to me."  The arrogant boy looked around at his friends, laughing.

With considerable effort, Jason choked down his temper.  He wanted to scream at the little punk, but couldn't.  "You're right.  I can't cut you for being lazy.  But I can cut you for refusing to do what I say.  So you and your friends are going to do a few extra laps, just to get you limbered up." 

"Oh come on, Coach."  Terry whined, "We need some water first.  This is cruel and unusual punishment.'

Jason smiled a cold smile.  "Well, just to make sure it isn't too hard on you, I'll make you a deal.  I'll run with you.  When I get tired, you can have a drink.  But you better keep up with me and my clipboard."  He turned to group one.  "You guys work on your events.  If you need anything, just give me a yell."  Back to group one, "Let's go."

Ignoring the groans behind him, Jason set off at a fairly slow pace, for him.  Of course his slow pace was fast enough to force them to push to keep up.  He trotted along, still carrying his clipboard casually.  Ten laps later, the groans behind him were becoming louder.  He turned and ran backward for a moment.  Most of group two were staggering.  They were now spread all over the track.  Some were even walking.  Terry was keeping up, just barely.  Even he was blowing hard, working to not lose face in front of his friends. 

"Come on boys and girls, this is just a casual stroll.  Don't punk out on my know," Jason called.  Turning back around, he picked up the pace a little.  Soon even Terry was losing ground fast.  He was staggering, trying to catch his breath.  Finally, the arrogant boy dropped to his knees, and shook his head.  Jason smiled, then sprinted one more lap at full speed.  Not even breathing hard, he stopped next to Terry and bent down.  "Now you know what it feels like to try hard," he said.  "Get some water."  With that he headed back to group one.

Jason felt pretty good riding into work the next day.  He knew most of the kids would just quit, they weren't interested in working hard, just in coasting by, but there were a few who might stick it out.  Either way hopefully he had established some dominance.  Maybe he could get a little more done without quite so much whining now.

As he checked his mailbox, Jason was surprised to find a note from the principal requesting a meeting.  He had a little time before class, so he headed down to the office quickly.  When he poked his head in, Mr. Waters looked up and waved him in.  "You wanted to see me, sir?" Jason asked.

"Yes Mr. Cohen, I'm afraid I did."  The older, very overweight man wheezed a little as he shifted in his chair.  "Please sit down."

Jason sat down, nervous.  "What can I do for you, sir?"

Mr. Waters took a deep breath.  "I'm afraid we've received a rather serious complaint, Mr. Cohen.  From some of the track team.  The students have requested to remain anonymous, so I can't identify them, but they are making some serious allegations."  He picked up a paper and examined it.  "Apparently you have been divisive and abusive during your practices.  There are reports that you divided the team into multiple groups, rewarding one group while punishing the other.  In addition, there are allegations that you were verbally abusive towards one group, using threating body language.  You also ran one group until they were so totally exhausted they collapsed, while allowing the other group to relax and drink water."  Mr. Waters looked up.  "Obviously you can understand we are quite concerned about this.  Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Jason was stunned.  He couldn't imagine how what had happened yesterday could be considered abusive.  Speaking through his shock, he explained.  "I'm sorry, sir.  I don't feel I was abusive in any way.  One group of students was working hard, the other wasn't.  So I rewarded the group working hard by giving them an earlier water break than usual while I had the other group continue to work.  I'm hoping to encourage them to work hard.  I certainly didn't hurt them.  Running is part of track.  I pushed them to work harder because it is what needs to happen to make a good track team."

Mr. Waters cut Jason off with a motion.  He leaned forward in his chair, taking his glasses off and wiping them as he spoke.  "Mr. Cohen.  I realize you are a new teacher here and probably not fully versed in appropriate educational methods, but there are certain standards you are expected to uphold.  We do not divide up students in any way.  To do so is rude and damaging to a students self-image.  We do not punish students for not trying hard enough.  It isn't our job to determine how hard a student can work.  Obviously a student knows his own limitations better than you do.  To force them to work too hard could cause irreversable damage, both physically and mentally."  The large man looked at Jason with a sympathetic smile and continued in a condescending tone.  "I understand your desire for a good track team, Mr. Cohen, and share it, but not at the expense of the students."

As Jason stared in disbelief, Mr. Waters picked up a pen.  "I am placing an official reprimand in your file.  Since I'm fairly sure this is merely a case of an overenthusiastic young teacher, I won't be taking any further disciplinary action, other than insisting you write an apology letter to each member of the track team."

Jason started to speak, but Mr. Waters cut him off.  "That will be all, Mr. Cohen."  He went back to his paperwork, obviously dismissing Jason from his presence.

As Jason walked to his classroom, his blood boiled.  He couldn't believe they were hamstringing him like this.  Part of him wanted to quit, stick to his principles and refuse to knuckle under, but he had bills to pay.  If he lost this job he probably wouldn't get another one.  With considerable effort, he swallowed his anger and entered the classroom.