Why Teach: Character List

Characters in order of appearance:

Chapters 1-8

William Able: Our 1st person narrator. A fourth-year English teacher at PCHS, the high school he graduated from. Son to Henry Able, a prominent lawyer in Plains City.

Davis: An old friend of William’s from high school, roommate from college, older brother to the deceased Bryce Davis, one of William’s former students.

Garret: High school friend of William’s with an unsavory reputation. Now teaching PE and coaching baseball at PCHS.

Lauren West: A first-year teacher.

Jim Morris, Jr: Son of Jim Morris, Sr., youngest partner at Morris, Able, & Morris.

Adrienne Gallegos: A high school junior in William’s class.

Javi: A high school junior in William’s class.

Marcos: A high school junior in William’s “Jock” English class.

Mrs. Hirsche: The district’s head of literacy.

Mrs. Rosenbaum and Mrs. Dennison: Respected veteran English teachers.

Valorie Smith: Respected fourth-year English teacher.

Henry Able: William’s father; senior partner at Morris, Able, & Morris.

Sharon Rhodes: Formerly secretary to Henry Able, now seeing him romantically. Mother to a former student of William’s.

Mr. Russel: The school’s head principal.

Mr. Avery: The associate principal in charge of the English Department.

Trent Richardson: A social studies teacher at the high school; chief negotiator for the teacher’s union.

Dr. Hill: William’s dentist; a member of the country club set.

Jim Morris, Sr: Principle partner at Morris, Able, & Morris; father to Jim Jr., husband of Ann Morris.

Chapters 9-14

Julia Lauer (“Jules”): a former classmate and ‘crush’ of William’s from college. Now dating Davis.

Theresa: a waitress at Varsity, the pool hall. Later goes out dancing with William, Davis, & co.

Sam: another waitress.

Kelsey Pomerantz: Daughter to another local lawyer; currently in law school; set to clerk for William’s father over the upcoming summer.