a woman … a family … a school … a city … a pandemic … a murder
It's April 2020 and Annie’s elementary school in South Minneapolis has decided to transition completely to online learning because of COVID. For a woman who was a finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year two years in a row, this should be a piece of cake. What could possibly go wrong?
Feature Film
Originally distributed online as a 12-episode limited series, TEACHER OF THE YEAR is now available for streaming as a continuous feature-length film.
Feature Film Release Date: July 4, 2021.
(Total running time: 1 hr. 53 mins.)
Episodes
TEACHER OF THE YEAR was originally broadcast online as a 12-episode limited series.
(May 28 - July 2, 2021)
Episode 1: The Pond
It’s the first day of virtual learning for Annie and her 6th graders at Minnehaha Montessori of South Minneapolis and her principal is on her case about the large aquarium in her classroom that is beginning to stink.
Release Date: Friday, May 28, 2021
(17 minutes)
Episode 2: Mothers & Micro-aggressions
Annie discovers that her ex-husband and his wife have created an alternative curriculum for her 11-year-old son. Her mother - an ICU nurse - shares her pessimistic view on where the pandemic is heading.
Release Date: Friday, May 28, 2021
(17 minutes)
Episode 3: A Kettle of Fish
Annie outwits Principal Edwards and returns the fish to nature. She struggles to get her 6th graders excited about their new project - creating online retellings of stories from the Iliad.
Release Date: Friday, June 4, 2021
(11 minutes)
Episode 4: Common Household Objects
Principal Edwards decides to make attendance for the rest of the year optional. Annie has her remaining students present tableaus they have created for their Iliad projects. It doesn’t go well.
Release Date: Friday, June 4, 2021
(12 minutes)
Episode 5: Mrs. Gundersen
The shit hits the fan when a screen grab of one of the Iliad tableaus is posted on Twitter. Cass becomes ill and Annie turns to her ex-husband for support.
Release Date: Friday, June 11, 2021
(13 minutes)
Episode 6: Annie's Project
To motivate the few students remaining in her class, Annie decides to create her own Iliad project. She receives a text from her mother who needs her help.
Release Date: Friday, June 11, 2021
(6 minutes)
Episode 7: First Responder
Annie calls for an ambulance and races to the hospital.
Release Date: Friday, June 18, 2021
(12 minutes)
Episode 8: Murder in Minneapolis
Devon takes his family to a Black Lives Matter march to protest the killing of George Floyd. Annie tries to remain optimistic about Cass’s health.
Release Date: Friday, June 18, 2021
(10 minutes)
Episode 9: Annie Goes Under Cover
Annie manages to evade hospital security in order to see Cass.
Release Date: Friday, June 25, 2021
(11 minutes)
Episode 10: The School Board Meeting
Annie attends the school board meeting and gets devastating news.
Release Date: Friday, June 25, 2021
(7 minutes)
Episode 11: A Lesson Plan on Loss
As Minneapolis descends into chaos, Annie struggles to explain to Akeem what has happened. Principal Edwards reaches out to Annie in a gesture of support.
Release Date: Friday, July 2, 2021
(11 minutes)
Episode 12: Trojan Woman
After Annie’s life goes up in flames, help comes from an unexpected source.
Release Date: Friday, July 2, 2021
(10 minutes)
Trailer
TEACHER OF THE YEAR was written, directed, & produced by Jim Dalglish.
It is presented by Cotuit Center for the Arts and Eventide Theatre Company.
Teacher of the Year • Copyright ©2021 Jim Dalglish
What People Are Saying
“Dalglish has created a powerful drama showing one heartbreaking perspective of what we all went through, and used impressive technical skills to make Zoom, texting, Facebook and video chats key parts of the riveting events”
— Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll, Cape Cod Times
“So well done! The acting incredible, especially the actress in the role of Teacher. Marcus Coffey in a first time acting role was marvelous. His empathy, his love for his mother and father so believable. Bravo! so worth watching.”
— Pamela Chatterton-Purdy and Rev. Dr. David A. Purdy
“Miranda Jonté gives an extraordinary performance as dedicated teacher Annie, who tries to control increasingly impossible situations.”
— Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll, Cape Cod Times
“What a beautiful, on point drama for our times. It really spoke to this past year.”
— Barbara Schweitzer
“Powerful stuff! Miranda Jonté as Annie was amazing!”
— Laura Colby
“It addressed very important, current issues. It was very interesting and masterfully created.”
— Judith Partelow
Production Stills
Press
Press Releases: Overview and Invited Screening
Press Contacts: Jim Dalglish (writer/director/producer) and David Kuehn (executive director of CCftA)
