<<  -- 5 --  Madeline Jenkins Millard    FAUST AND THE 'FREE WORLD'

Waggoner received support from the community and abroad. Even a web site, www.savetresa.org, was donated. 'They have sent me flowers. Some people even came to church to hear me sing. I've had cards. The majority of the Bennett community is in support of me. However, it takes a lot of effort to fight injustice. They have to live in this town and so I understand. Some parents told me: "I have talked to others in private who just want to fight for you, but their husbands work with so-and-so." It's a small town mentality.' Perhaps the most gratifying testimonial is that only eleven children were withdrawn from her classes.

Chandra Mynick, a mother of two sons who saw the video, wrote to BloggingBaby.com: 'When I asked my youngest if anything in this video scared him, he replied: "No, it was a fairy tale." These are the exact words of a first grader. I have taught my children the difference between real life and make believe. It is very sad that a teacher who tries to expose children to life outside of Bennett is punished for it. I am a proud Christian and believe in this teacher. I will be attending the board meeting tomorrow night along with other supporters of Tresa.'

The uncertainty of Waggoner's future, the Bennett Six's smear campaign, and the sympathetic-yet-unrelenting media attention put tremendous pressure on Waggoner and her family. 'It's been high stress between my husband and me,' she says, steadying her voice. Her son and daughter, ages five and four, respectively, are too young to understand what is happening; yet they are affected by the tension. 'When they see Mama cry, when I'm on TV or in the newspaper, they know something's wrong. They know I'm not working and ask: "Why's Mama home?" I've been able to take them swimming, and we've done some things together. They're so happy about that.' She acknowledges that playing with the children helps to relieve the stress. She also works out daily. 'That's probably my saving grace. Because I can go and sweat and just kind of get my stress out. Or I go run; I like to run.'

Financial fallout from the situation strains her budget. She explains: 'Like, last month -- the lawyer, the union -- everyone kept ringing. I ended up with a six hundred dollar bill for my cell phone! I went over 900 minutes! And then, of course, I'm still having to pay a lawyer. So even though I'm going to get paid from the school, all of my money -- because we all know what teachers make -- is going to go to paying these bills.'

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