A Silicon Valley entrepreneur takes on the challenge of a lifetime: teaching in one of California's toughest high schools. Entrepreneur Steve Poizner had run a billion-dollar company, but the greatest challenge of his life was the year he spent teaching twelfth graders at San Jose's Mt. Pleasant High School. On many days, his managerial and entrepreneurial skills seemed irrelevant. But on others, they helped him demonstrate how exciting it is to learn. Poizner motivated his students by expanding their horizons far beyond their high school's walls. Steve Poizner is currently (2010) a candidate for governor of California and on the verge of becoming a household name. But this is a memoir of a personal journey, not a point-by-point account of his vision for his state. Poizner writes, "Often I came to ask myself one question: What exactly are you doing here? As it turns out, I was receiving one hell of an education."--From publisher description.

Prologue: Why are you here? -- Entrepreneur or bust -- A foot in the classroom door -- Square peg -- Will the kids buy it? -- Killer material -- Turnaround strategies meet the classroom -- What can I do? -- They all deserve better -- Graduation day arrives -- Epilogue: Just getting started.