Maggie Gyllenhall plays Lisa, the titular teacher, who still trying to be a poet. One day Jimmy, one or her students, inadvertently reveals he is poet prodigy. Lisa tries her best to foster Jimmy’s gift, but her behavior becomes more and more inappropriate. Gyllenhall and the movie are very effective in conveying Lisa’s emotional state. Well-paced, directed, and acted, but the amount of cringe-worthy scenes makes it an unpleasant watch.