An "applied folklore" study investigated the value of certain aspects of folklore theory in an effort to upgrade teaching effectiveness. A case study approach was used to determine if the concept of labeling perspective, as adapted and advanced by folklorist Patrick B. Mullen (1988), could provide useful insights when applied to local character anecdotes and other occupational folklore of an experienced night school educator. Interview and other data obtained from a night school teacher/informant, classic and more recent presentations of the labeling perspective, other folklore research on local character anecdotes, and insights obtained from studies dealing with the folklore of education were reviewed. The community, the deviant, and the deviant's place within the community were described as the first step in analyzing the anecdotes. The past and present connections of students and teachers in the night school with the "day" education system of the community were traced. The impact of these connections on night school operations and folklore was determined. Through repeated applications during the study, the Mullen hypothesis was determined to be a valid tool for exploring group norms and identity in the context of the folklore of night school education. (A 53-page transcript of an interview with the teacher/informant and list of 24 references are appended.) (YLB)