Searching for Signal

Michael Clark, thirty-something, was unhappy. A depleting job, an uninteresting life, and no idea how to improve. During a failed interview and disastrous presentation, Michael manages to find meaning in a computer error. Its guidance: watch for life Signals. Trying to explain the revelation to his fiancée sends her flying out the door. A Signal. Then an acquaintance suggests he would be a good teacher. A Signal. He takes the courses and tests to be certified to teach high school English, so naturally, his journey begins with teaching math in a middle school. Weird, but a Signal. On summer break, he secures a transfer to a high school teaching first-year English, and there are Signals everywhere: a peculiar, enthusiastic principal; the brilliant head custodian; Goddesses in the English department; interesting, challenging students, and Romeo and Juliet; the teachers' lounge; supportive (and other) faculty; the English department basketball team with poets; the football team, which the peculiar principal wants Michael to coach; Lou Gehrig; Henry V and an actor; Puccini and a tenor; Norma, Felipe, and Helen. All good signals. And Cynthia, the best Signal. Approximately 325 pages.