'The Teacher' is the coming of adulthood story of Vance Stewart. Young, White and idealistic, Vance has always been successful in everything he has done. Now he faces his biggest challenge, teaching in a New York City public high school. Vance doesn't want to be a traditional, "authoritarian" teacher who stands up in front of the classroom and lectures all day. He wants to be a different kind of teacher - creative, original. He wants to give his students a voice, to hear their stories. His ideals are put to the test when his students challenge his every step and misstep. Despite his best intentions, his students see him as just another teacher and they interrupt, ignore, question, and resist his efforts. Will Vance survive the year? And will he survive with his ideals intact?