mrs. schaner, she taught me great things. i went through the eighth grade in school, and the kids had to stay there through 16 years old. that was the rules in new hampshire. when i was in third grade, there was a 15-year-old boy in my class. he didn't like me. and he used to push me around on the playground. and i would go running to mrs. schaner. and she didn't know what to do. if you kick him out for a week, they had to let him back in. he came back meaner. one day i went running to mrs. schaner. and she said johnny, you're just going to have to stand up for yourself. and i said, he is big. she said listen. here's my idea. as much as i appreciate you, you just kick him in the shins and run like hell. [laughter] i don't think she used that word, but i did. a funny thing happened. he whimpered and he became my friend. he became my ally, my protector. and i learned a very powerful message. i learned the importance of standing up for myself. taking responsibility. and i also learned the importance of standing up to a bully. an