i want to give a shoutout to two students that are just WONDERFUL.

1. alex -- the sweetest student. nothing ever ruffles him, he never gets angry (even when someone stole his spanking new iversons), and he always smiles, even when he's reading about the reign of terror out loud. i'm working on getting him to be a little more extroverted ... but he's a cutie. a keeper. with really hip swedish parents.

2. josh -- my turnaround. from passive (possibly strung out) skater, to a pleasant member of the community. he does his homework. he smiles (cutest dimples) and amazes himself when he can answer questions in class, and helps after school to clean boards and things. and i think he can keep it up ... it's certainly heartwarming. he's just such a charmer when he wants to be.

this is to say nothing of the deadbeats. sigh.