Her patience is eternal (she married me after all) and most of the stuff that flusters others just makes her laugh. Yesterday was the worst day she's had in terms of student behavior and she laughed the whole time she was telling me the story. She was apparently rushed by a student (who failed to make an impact) and had a desk thrown at her (which she ducked a la being in The Matrix). This and much worse was a nearly daily occurrence when she taught at a non-public school in Beaumont, CA, mostly because her classroom was overfilled with 16, 17, and 18 year old East LA gangbangers.

Dealing with a kid who is throwing a fit because he isn't getting his way is not a big deal, and she is extremely good at dealing with it and getting them back on track and doing their work. It is amazing to me, really.

My wife is the sweetest most caring person I know, but when she darkens the door of her classroom, she becomes MRS. MACKIE, TAKER OF NO CRAP. It really is quite something.