The Minn. Teacher Behind 'The Body'

By Jessica L. Sandham

St. Paul, Minn.

One morning last November, Mae Schunk called Phalen Lake Elementary School to say she would be reporting to school a half-hour late. It apparently was a first for her in 36 years as an educator, but it couldn't be helped. She had gotten only two hours' sleep the night before.

Ms. Schunk arrived at 9 a.m. to find the school principal, the district superintendent, and other top administrators waiting at the front door. "Oh, I'm so sorry I'm late," the 64-year-old teacher said, ducking past them. "I'll get right to my kids."

But before she started down the hall, Ms. Schunk, who worked with gifted and talented students at the St. Paul school, was directed to the gymnasium. There, Phalen Lake's 750 students were...