The Unteachables

Monday after the science fair, the Unteachables are upset. Their project finished second in the science fair, and it’s hitting Aldo particularly hard. He doesn’t feel bad about being angry because “sometimes mad is exactly what you’re supposed to be” (263).

Mr. Kermit doesn’t come to school, and the kids have the same substitute as the last time he wasn’t there. This time, though, they aren’t in the mood to play pranks. When the substitute asks them what’s wrong, they rant about Mr. Kermit’s situation. After listening, the substitute admits she misjudged them. Aldo doesn’t agree. They had one job, to help Mr. Kermit, and they “came up empty” (263).

Mr. Kermit takes Monday and Tuesday off from school to regroup and get used to his new car. When he enters the building on Wednesday, Principal Vargas meets him at the door with a copy of the Greenwich newspaper. The paper contains an article by the substitute teacher’s son criticizing Dr. Thaddeus for daring to fire Mr. Kermit after all the improvements the Unteachables have seen this semester. In the article, Jake verifies that the cheating scandal wasn’t Mr.