Even running late—she’d taken her morning walk a little slower for Charlene—she was still a Welleswood Wonk.“And proud of it,” she murmured, embracing the derogatory title given to her and five other experienced teachers who always reported to work early.The name had been coined by a group of nontenured teachers who were referred to, in turn, as the Welleswood Wonders. The four young teachers had the arrogance to presume they already knew all there was to know about teaching. To add insult to injury, the Welleswood Wonders dressed like they were headed to an afternoon barbecue, wearing flip-flops and Capri pants, instead of to a professional day in the classroom.Operating at full speed, Ellie turned to leave the office and nearly bumped into her supervisor.“Mr. Pepperidge! I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.” She backed up a step.He glanced down at her over the rim of his half glasses. Half the faculty joked that those spectacles were super-glued to the end of his nose.
