If the public bears umbrage against teachers for perceived underperformance, consider the moon -- and Mars. However imperfect our practices may be, teachers are indirectly responsible for propelling America to both, as we taught the scientists and engineers who took us there how to read and write and think and live. The moral and economic imperatives then as now demand that teachers stand up and believe in who there are and what they’ve done. It’s not hard even though much of the reportage wrongfully sells us short. America has become the greatest world power largely because of her teachers in no small measure. And Philadelphia teachers -- Hope Moffett in particular -- are the very best.