First off, the Standing Girl actually took a break on Thursday. “I just don’t feel like standing today.” “No sore toe?” “No. I just don’t feel like it.” OK. Friday was test day–she doesn’t stand for tests–but she was right back on her feet today. “I just feel like it.” One of the yahoos spoke my own thoughts today, though perhaps a bit less tactfully. “Can’t you think of anything else to say? Maybe Iiiii feel like, you know…far-” “Quiet you!” Second, another round of kudos to the brave Mr. M. He threw himself on the landmine, and it didn’t blow up. The not-missus (I couldn’t resist) was dead-on when she said that we teachers are a defensive bunch. In fact, that was my cooperating teacher’s only real beef with me as a young buck: “Does not take criticism well.” Ouch. The truth hurts, as we used to say in junior high. So Mr. M, it took a lot of guts for you to approach your colleague, AND you obviously had some tact, because she actually listened to you. That’s a one-two punch you gotta take advantage of. What else needs changing at your school? You should be working that

