Elizabeth, she would have earned her position. The middle dwellers are the salt of the earth. They are the ones who stand by others. Besides, I imagine the school, and her teacher would have prepared the others for Wendy.

Some years ago my students were required o bring in their baptismal photos for something we were preparing for. When William, one of the students, brought his out, the class was aghast at the huge mass on his lips.

"What's that?": they asked.

Asked William if he would like to explain, or would I. He explained in a matter-of-fact way, (great parenting) and the issue was put to bed.

In that same class I had a student with spina bifida. He explained why he walked as he did. End of story.

I never ever saw them being teased. Students, generally speaking, once they know, just get on with things.