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I have been an ESL teacher for nearly 10 years. Many teachers will say that their primary job is to impart knowledge to their students. However, I have always believed that a teacher’s true job is to empower their students. To teach them “how to think” rather than “what to think.” The best teachers are facilitators and always encourage their students to find their own answers. This is the style of teaching that is pervasive throughout the Scandinavian countries.

Rina Kujo is the homeroom teacher for a class of underachievers, and those who care very little about their education. For many, getting through a day is all that matters. She finds that on March 10, 2024, on Graduation Day, one of her students pushes her off a bridge to her death. She awakens to find herself on Opening Day a year ago. She realizes that for some unknown reason, she is given the chance to relive the past year and, perhaps, prevent her death. At first, this is her goal.

Rina’s determined to find out who pushed her to her death as she gazes at the sea of unhappy and unruly faces in her classroom. It then becomes apparent to her that it wasn’t just the students who struggled to get through a day, and soon, her focus shifts to understanding why her students behave the way that they do, and perhaps in doing so, she might begin to effect real change.

It begins with Ugumori Kanau, a shy but kind student who is being bullied by a number of students in the class. At first, Ugumori is very skeptical that Rina can do anything to help her until she finally asks Ugumori to summon the courage to face the class and tell them how their bullying has affected her. Courageously, she does just that, and very quickly, Rina has a staunch ally as she begins to help students one at a time. At first, the class stands against her, but soon, they begin to realize that Rina is truly trying to help them realize that they can live their lives a much different way than they have been. That there is hope, and that they aren’t quite as trapped in their life situations as they believe.

The themes attached to the students are all things that teenagers can relate to. Being bullied, being used by their parents, being an outcast among peers due to looks, allowing others to bully you, doing things you don’t want to do in order to be popular, and be a part of the “in crowd” despite the fact that you really don’t want to be friends with them anyway. These are all elements that are addressed. Rina, however, doesn’t lecture her students, but helps them realize that they are the cause of their own misery, but that they can change.

It's ironic how many people despair that any change is possible, and how they firmly believe that there simply isn’t any way out of their “hopeless” and unhappy situations, and so they take drastic measures, such as suicide, violence, or attack on others. As it’s been said, “Misery loves company.” Why else do you think bullies love a crowd? Their ploys don’t work without an audience.

This is the type of series that should be required viewing throughout high schools around the world. Students would quickly find themselves relating to one or more of the characters depicted here, and perhaps even be inspired to make their own changes.

Rina finds that she must change herself before she can inspire change in others, thus mirroring Gandhi's famous words, "Be the Change you wish to see."

Rina doesn’t just point out the problem behavior, but makes each student realize how that behavior affects others and how it’s so destructive. There’s no point in pointing out such behavior if the perpetrator is unable to see how it affects everyone around them. Empathy is something that is sorely missing from schools, and it’s something that should be required as part of learning.

There are some very problematic students in this series, and you wonder how Rina can possibly get through to them. But, where there was one voice, it soon grows into many, and even the most vicious students are suddenly finding themselves not only having to face Rina, but most of their classmates as well. They learn to accept and appreciate everyone for their talents as well as for their differences. It’s very hard to hate someone when you really get to know them.

There are some incredibly powerful moments in this series, at least one per episode, that you will find both moving and poignant. I’ve seen some great stories regarding teachers and students, such as “Freedom Writers” and “The Dead Poet’s Society.” This one ranks right up there with the best of them.

In a world where bullying is at its all-time worst, a series like this one becomes more paramount than ever before. This is a series that easily invites multiple viewings as we learn that it’s impossible for a student to learn something from a teacher without a teacher also learning something from a student. It always goes both ways. I learned so much from the students I taught. Things I still use to this day.

For any true teacher, you have to find a way to connect with your students. That’s half the battle. You can’t be afraid to get to know them and share things with them. This series endeavors to demonstrate what true learning is all about.

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for some tissues! This series digs deeply, as well it should. After all, a teacher has to always let their students know that they are there for them. Teaching is one of those jobs that, if you don’t love it, then you shouldn’t do it.