At best, books were only a partial education. Her students, she believed, should have as much experience as possible. When she had learned about the experimental school, she had applied, not quite understanding that it was an all boys school. When she had been accepted and learned that there were not only no girl students, but also no other female teachers, she had almost refused the job. It was not the type of situation she had envisioned herself in. But then she thought the better of it. It would do the children no good if she deserted them when she felt they needed someone who thought the way she did. She believed that she might be able to do some good if she joined the faculty. She wasn't exactly sure, at that point almost two weeks ago, about what she could do to. But she had joined the faculty anyway, believing that something would present itself in such a way that she would be able to put to use some of her own ideas about education.

After all, this was supposed to be an experimental school.

What bothered her the most was that she was in a fairly secluded part of the state, and she knew that many times, areas away from large cities were conservative, if not outright backward. How would the people of the town react to her methods of teaching? She found that her mind was wandering as she watched the children playing in the school yard before the first bell rang, signaling the end of their summer and the beginning of a long, hard school year. Karen was new to the area, having moved there only after she had been informed that she was hired. She was not yet used to the small town atmosphere, having lived all her life in large cities. Her hazel eyes focused on the crowd of eight-year-old boy playing tag, and she thought about what darlings they were. Children were so loving and wonderful… they gave without asking in return, and their eyes were always filled with wonder and bright excitement.