The Kindergarten Teacher

Lisa Spinelli, a kindergarten teacher from Staten Island, finds herself deeply unhappy in life. Despite being in a loving marriage with her husband Grant, she feels a lack of passion and connection, which affects her overall contentment.

Lisa's relationship with her teenage children, Josh and Lainie, becomes increasingly strained and distant. As they navigate their own lives, Lisa feels a growing disconnect, which fuels her search for fulfillment elsewhere.

To escape her dissatisfaction, Lisa joins a weekly poetry class led by Simon. While she strives to express herself through poetry, she feels her efforts are often dismissed as derivative and unworthy.

During an afternoon at school, Lisa overhears a young student named Jimmy reciting a poem while waiting for his babysitter. His unique creativity strikes a chord with Lisa, igniting her passion for poetry once more.

Inspired by Jimmy's talent, Lisa decides to read his poem in her poetry class. Her classmates and Simon express their admiration, leading Lisa to believe she has found a protégé in the young boy.

Lisa enlists the help of Jimmy's babysitter, Becca, to document his poetry. Yet, Lisa begins to feel uneasy about Becca's treatment of Jimmy, questioning whether it aligns with his artistic growth.

Wanting to support Jimmy's development, Lisa provides him with her phone number and encourages him to reach out with new poems. This gesture marks her commitment to fostering his gift.

A pivotal moment comes when Simon invites Lisa to a poetry reading in Manhattan, where she is expected to present two of her own poems. This opportunity becomes a catalyst for her burgeoning confidence.

At the reading, an intimate moment between Lisa and Simon occurs, as he expresses fascination with her potential. Their relationship deepens, fueled by shared artistic fervor and attraction.

Lisa meets with Jimmy's father, Nikhil, to discuss his son's talent. While Nikhil acknowledges Jimmy's intelligence, he insists on providing a conventional upbringing, adding another layer of complexity to their relationship.

Persuading Nikhil to dismiss Becca, Lisa offers her own time to supervise Jimmy after school. This act signifies her determination to take charge of Jimmy's creative path, despite potential familial conflicts.

Disregarding Nikhil's wishes for Jimmy to attend baseball practice, Lisa brings him to the poetry reading. The event stirs excitement, but also leads to rising tensions between Lisa and Nikhil.

Simon's anger surfaces when he discovers Lisa's deception about the authorship of Jimmy's poems. This revelation leads to significant repercussions for Lisa, ultimately culminating in her expulsion from his class.

Filled with desperation and shame, Lisa impulsively kidnaps Jimmy from his new kindergarten. She drives them to a motel near a northern beach, seeking an escape from her complicated life.

When Jimmy calls 911 during Lisa’s shower, the police arrive and arrest her while placing Jimmy in the front seat of their squad car. Despite the chaos, Jimmy attempts to express his creativity, but his voice goes unheard.