In a crime-ridden, urban area, I watched a teacher lead a group of sixth graders with such dignity and grace that it felt like he was single-handedly passing out futures. It felt so foreign, I was mesmerized. The students sat at individual desks, facing the front of the classroom. They quietly raised their hands when the teacher posed questions or asked for volunteers. They watched the teacher and their peers write on the board, and copied responses on to the papers on their