Better Late Than Felon

I’m the author of this story. One of the classes I taught was defensive driving. In Texas, it is a felony to give someone credit for the class if they are not present for 100% of the class. This was emphasized strongly when getting licensed to teach.

The facility’s nurse was thirty minutes late; I apologized to her while telling her she’d have to reschedule.

Facility Nurse: “But I had car trouble!”

Me: “I understand, but I can’t let you in for this session.”

Facility Nurse: “It’s not my fault.

Me: “I believe you; I’m not doing it to punish you. It’s a felony for me to give you credit if you’re not here for the entire six hours. I’m really sorry, but I’m not going to risk it.”

She stomped off, yelling that I hadn’t heard the end of it.

The next day, I got a call from the executive director.

Executive Director: “I understand you kicked the nurse out of class yesterday.”

Me: “She was thirty minutes late. It’s a felony for me to let her in. I didn’t do it to punish her, but I’m not committing a crime for her.”

Executive Director: “What if it were me?”

Me: “I wouldn’t let you in either.”

Executive Director: “Okay then.”

Nothing more was said about it, but boy, did the nurse glare at me during the next class!