I really enjoyed this one. Related short stories about a young 7th grade teacher who became one because it was the easy thing to do, tries hard at times but at others just takes the shortcuts, and is attached to her students, sometimes oddly so, while hoping that she's had some kind of positive effect on them. At the same time, we see some of her past, her family, and her relationships with men and her colleagues. An unsure imperfect teacher with a real life and and real problems like the rest of us, trying to make it through with a hope that in the end we've somehow accomplished something worthwhile.
Very well written. A pleasure to read.