Stuart: The Teacher

Stuart’s parents divorced when he was young. During the aftermath he learned to put his needs second so that he could keep his parents happy (or at least not depressed). That's where he learned to tell bad jokes, sing, dance, and otherwise act like a Muppet. He is full of love but is cringy goofy. He tends to say yes to his own detriment – too nice with no boundaries and it wears him out. 

Growing up, he had lots of crushes and some love interests, but never a steady girlfriend until he met his wife, Wren. They met back in high school but he didn't have the confidence to take any risks with their friendship. For six years he never asked her on a date (except to his senior prom, but he figured that didn't count as a date), and when he did, Wren’s first response was “no” because, well, he was kind of a dork. But finally, after seven years, a month before he graduated from college and moved to Virginia to teach high school history in a low-income neighborhood near Norfolk, Wren agreed to marry him.

And they were happy. It took them a while to have kids because, it turns out, getting pregnant is not as easy as some people make it look. But when at last they brought their daughter, Rose, into the world, things didn’t get any easier. Rose spent three months in the neonatal intensive care unit and has disabilities that make her dependent on others, unable to ever live alone.

Money is tight (disabilities are expensive, it turns out, especially when you have the school district’s base insurance policy).  He got his special education certificate partly because of his experience with his daughter, partly because of the special education teacher shortage, but mostly because it pays more. Despite all that, he donates his time to the local LGBT Center and Special Olympics. The family goes to an Episcopal Church that actually follows through on its stated claim that “all are welcome – no exceptions.”

He's never taken the leap to move up in his career – say, to become an administrator – because he's not sure he wants to devote that kind of time to it. His extracurriculars are more important to him and the students need him in the classroom. This is a source of tension with Wren – since she had to stay home and take care of Rose because of her disability, Wren doesn't have the work experience to get a high paying job. The family relies on what Stuart brings in. They're making ends meet and saving a little, but they are one medical emergency away from going under.

He's a good man but not a confident one. He used to play the piano and dreamed once about playing at a jazz bar in New York City. He hasn’t practiced in years. But he found meaning and purpose supporting special needs kids and LGBTQ+ youth whose families ostracized them. 

Stuart doesn't really get mad until he sees authority abusing its power and resources. He doesn't swear much, but when he does it's when people with power punch down. He always thought himself politically left-of-center, but lately he thinks he’s becoming radicalized. But he’s not a radical – he’s pissed off. His anger drives him to take the action he never had the courage to take.