THE TEACHER begins with young BRIAN DESMOND teaching math at Newtown High School in Queens, New York despite a learning disability -- he cannot write legibly. He paid for his college education by fixing clocks, is fiercely independent, and aches for the respect of his sister and father, who treat him as dumb. A new principal comes to Newtown High with a wife, a lovely daughter and problems which threaten Brian's teaching career. Martin Bernhard, a wealthy member of the Board of Education, tries to rescue Brian's teaching job. In return he asks Brian to help him understand his dynamic daughter Julia, a concert violinist. Briefly barred from active hobbies, Brian accompanies a friend to a little theater audition which leads to involvement with actors, directors and agents in Queens, Westchester and Manhattan. As these various activities overlap, a crisis in Brian's family clouds his perspective. He ignores local beauty Sheila Murray, and when she decides it's time to look elsewhere Brian is forced to realign all of his priorities.