I was intimidated by Terrance from the moment he walked into my class. He was taller than me (6'5 versus me at 5'9). He was muscular and confident with an overpowering presence. He was also an outstanding athlete on the basketball court.

I was a first year teacher, 26 years old. Mister Thomas, to the students. A bit nervous, shy, and reserved.

We got along well at first. I didn't require too much of him and allowed him to turn in assignments late or incomplete, chalking it up to his extra activities as an excuse to cover up my own hesitancy about angering him. I also allowed him to talk over me several times in class. He never called me "Mister Thomas" and I let it slide.

I ran into problems with him, however, after a mid semester exam. As I looked over his answers at