Teacher Man is Frank McCourt's (Angela's Ashes and 'Tis) newest release. This memoir is strikenly different than his previous offerings. His style is more reflective and less narrative. There are so many acceptable formats for narrative non fiction and this one seems to offer one more. McCourt taught in the New York City Public School system as well as at the university level for more than 30 years. His initial reluctance reminded me of the story in Mr. Holland's Opus. This book spoke to me on many personal levels: I am from New York City, having been born and raised in Staten Island (one of the five boroughs) where McCourt began his teaching career at McKee Technical-Vocational school (where my own father went to school to become a licensed plumber and join the family business).

As a teacher myself I can feel his agony at apathetic students and the feeling that no matter what you do, you're not making a difference. The desire to make a difference is strong in teachers, whether they chose the career or the career chose them. His passion to make his subject come alive and to get his students to think outside the box inspired me just as Robin Williams' teacher portrayal in Dead Poet's Society.

McCourt learned "on the fly" how to teach well and he admits that is how he learned how to write well too. That encourages me as I begin work on my own first novel and pour over every book on writing fiction I can get my hands on. The mystery of the "art" of writing, like the art of teaching, attracts me and somehow elevates it to a more spiritual pursuit.

Even though this book is not the traditional tale with a strong plot, there is a character arc that would do well if translated onto the silver screen. It's been a while since there's been a good movie about teaching - I wouldn't be surprised if this one is the next one.

If you could tell us about a teacher who made a difference in your life, who would it be and why?