MS. DIXON: So how is everything, George?
MR. WALKER: Keepin' tight. Can't complain... Blew my damn knee out a while back and it's still givin' me hell, 'specially on the stairs out there.
MS. DIXON: (sympathetic) Ouch.
MR. WALKER: Ouch is right... But hey, good excuse to make the kids carry attendance forms to the front office. What about you, how's things?
MS. DIXON: I was wondering if we could talk about a situation that's come up with a student. Do you have a few minutes to chat?
MR. WALKER: I have nothin' but time. 'Til the bell rings. What's up?
MS. DIXON: The student's name is Abigail Jacobs, she's in the fifth grade?
MR. WALKER: (he doesn't recall) Um. Okay...
MS. DIXON: She came to me the other day and reported that she's been the repeated target of some... not nice things being done and said to her, particularly when she uses the bathroom near the cafeteria.
MR. WALKER: Ooph. Sounds rough. Sorry to hear.
FEEDBACK: Good job sticking to what Abigail told you and keeping a neutral tone. As a result, Mr. Walker seems open to talking with you.
MS. DIXON: She told me that she first reported this bullying to you.
MR. WALKER: To me?
MS. DIXON: Yeah, last month, during lunch? I don't recall you saying anything to me, and... I was hoping to get some more information about it.
MR. WALKER: (trying to recall) I'm not... (realizing) Ooooh, you're talking about- Right, right. Yeah, that's right, that- Yeah, it was during lunch.
MS. DIXON: Can you tell me what happened?
FEEDBACK: Good job using an open-ended question to encourage Mr. Walker to share his perspective on the situation.
MR. WALKER: Right, so it's lunch period, and I'm supervising, I'm standing near the bathrooms and he, um- she comes out and she's upset and I say, “What's wrong?” And... she tells me that the girls in the bathroom were calling her names, writing things on the mirror...
MS. DIXON: And what did you say?
MR. WALKER: I'm trying to... You know what it was, it was a Friday, and, I uh, told him not to worry about it, just walk away from the situation, use a different bathroom for now, and I'd follow up. And it was a Friday, and then the weekend, and... Whoosh. Slipped.
MS. DIXON: I know how things can get lost over the weekend. End of the week, everything's a blur, you're tired…
MR. WALKER: You can say that again...
MR. WALKER: So here's a question. Why can't he just... use the single stall bathroom on the first floor? Everyone wins.
MS. DIXON: (earnest but gentle) She identifies as a girl and she prefers to go by Abigail, and... we have to respect that. Everyone - students, teachers, staff - we all have to work to create an environment where all of our students feel safe and supported.
MR. WALKER: And I get that, I really do, but... Fine. She's Abigail; she's a girl... (but he can't quite let it go) While we're at it, I'd like to be referred to from now on as Mr. President. Can you make that happen?
MS. DIXON: George.
MR. WALKER: What?
MS. DIXON: (neutral tone, without judgment) Are you aware of how this is covered under Chancellor's Regulations?
MR. WALKER: Um... Maybe?
MS. DIXON: Well... Abigail is allowed to use the bathroom that she's comfortable using, and students and staff have to respect that choice... And as soon as Abigail disclosed what had been happening to her, it was incumbent upon you to report it to me... It's gotta be entered into the system within 24 hours, and... I mean here we are, and it's been a month.
MR. WALKER: Okay, but... Look, I didn't know that, but... I mean, they change those regulations as much as I change my socks.
MS. DIXON: These policies have been in place since 2007.
MR. WALKER: It's just... I dunno... It's a little messed up is all.
MS. DIXON: George... I'm trying to help you keep your job.
MS. DIXON: This is serious stuff. I mean... If you were saying stuff like this in front of Abigail and her parents found out?...
MR. WALKER: What stuff?
MS. DIXON: "Him?"... "Confused?"
MS. DIXON: "Messed up?"
MS. DIXON: "Mister President?"
MS. DIXON: ...This is the stuff lawsuits are made of.
MS. DIXON: We're all trying to keep up, and... It can be a little overwhelming sometimes.
MR. WALKER: You can say that again... Sometimes I get to feelin', like... Just slow down. You know what I mean?
MS. DIXON: If you'd like, I could give you a copy of the most recent Chancellor's Regulations to look over.
MR. WALKER: Yeah, y'know what? Put it in my mailbox. Why not. Something for the bus.
MR. WALKER: Look, I gotta go set up for a class, but um... Keep me posted. Let me know how things go and if you need me to, uh... I dunno. Just let me know.
MS. DIXON: Of course. Will do.